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PRICE, ONE DOLLAR. 



l0 Capitalists and £w 



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B E I N G 



A STATISTICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE 



ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OF THE 



ate of North Carolina, 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ; 

TOGETHER WITH 

TERS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF THE STATE 

., RELATION TO THE SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, MINE- 
RALS, &C, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE 

SWAMP LANDS OF THE STATE. 



PUBLISHED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA LAND CO. 
Copyright Secured. 



\ 

RALEIGH, N. C. : 

NICHOLS & GORMAN, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 

1869. 



NORTH CAROLINA K . * 

T r -^ 

Land Lompany, 

ESTABLISHED FOE THE 

TRANSPORTATION and LOCATION 
OF 

Northern and European Settlers 

IN THE 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, 

FOR THE 

SALE OF EEAL ESTATE, 

Agricultural Implements, Machinery, &c, &c- 

—ALSO— 

Negotiate Loans on Mortgages and other Securities. 



Chartered by Act ol General Assembly, 1869 . 

OFFICERS: 
Geo. Little, President. k W. Best, Secretary. 

DIRECTORS: 



AT RALEIGH. 



Hon. R. W. Best, late Sec. of State. 
Col. Geo. Little, late U. S. Marshal. 
Geo. W". Swepson, Ral. Nat. Bank, 
R. Kingsland, late of N. Y. City. 



AT NEW YORK. 



A. J. Bleecker, Esq. 

AGENTS AT NEW YORK AND BOSTON. 

A. J. Bleecker, Son & Co., 
77, Cedar Street. 

New York City. 
Principal Office— RALEIGH, IT. C. 



TO THE EEADEE. 



This publication has been gotten up at considerable expense and labor, 
at the instance and under the supervision of the North Carolina Land 
Company, which is composed of a number of intelligent, enterprising and 
respectable gentlemen of the States of New York and North Carolina. 

This Company has been established in this city for the purpose of aid- 
ing in the transportation and location of Northern and European settlers 
coming to North Carolina, and for the sale of lands of all descriptions, 
suited to the wants of the agriculturist, the vine and fruit grower, the 
truck farmer, the miner and manufacturer, as well as the sale of improved 
and unimproved lots in the towns and cities of the State, and to render all 
possible assistance to persons who desire to invest their funds in this State, 
judiciously. 

In order to furnish to persons desirous of coming to the State, the most 
reliable, general and statistical information, as a guide to investment and 
location, the Land Company has procured the services of gentlemen in no 
way interested personally in their enterprise, who, from long acquaintance 
and actual observation, were well qualified to give a brief but correct des- 
cription of every county. Besides this, they have procured a mass of valu- 
able information in the form of letters, from leading gentlemen who have 
held high public positions in the State, and whose thorough acquaintance 
with the subjects upon which they write, as well as their entire reliability 
remove all doubt as to the truthfulness and correctness of their state- 
ments. The whole, therefore, embodies an amount of information precisely 
suited to the wishes of all classes of persons who desire to seek a home, 
in one of the most highly favored portions of the earth, in climate, soil, 
natural advantages, capacity for improvement, population, &c. , which can- 
not be obtained from any other publication. 

Intelligent gentlemen who have made themselves acquainted by personal 
observation, with the population, climate, soil, productions and capacity 
for improvement of every portion of the United States, do not hesitate to 
declare, since the close of the rebellion, that the Southern States offer 
vastly superior inducements both for investment and location, to those of 
he Northwestern States and Territories, whither the tide of emigration 
has been so strongly tending in late years. Unprejudiced travellers who 
have visited North Carolina, after a short stay in the State, invariably 
express a preference for the Old North State, to that of any other. Thou- 
sands of her children, who in the spirit of money-making left the State years 
ago to try their fortunes in the West, South or North, are returning to 
their native soil, and thousands more are meditating a return when their 
circumstances will allow it. 



(4) 

The world does not possess any where a more quiet, peaceable, honest 
and frugal population, than the people of this State. Notwithstand- 
ing the devastation, ruin and demoralization of the late civil war, our peo- 
ple are rapidly returning to their old customs and labors. A more law- 
abiding people cannot be found. Foreigners and strangers who come 
among us to engage in the industrial and business professions of life and to 
pursue the arts of peace, are everywhere hailed with joy, and the aim and 
desire of our people generally, is to promote peace and quietude, enter- 
prise and prosperity among all classes, and to encourage and support wise 
laws and a good government, which give the greatest security and protec- 
tion to life, labor and property. 

The State covers an area of 34,000, 0C0 of acres, stretching nearly 500 miles 
from the Atlantic Ocean to the Tennessee line, and from 150 to 100 miles 
from the Virginia to the South Carolina and Georgia lines. Within this area 
there is almost every variety of soil and climate. Physically, the State is 
divided into three departments, differing in soil, climate and production. 
The Eastern division stretches along the Atlantic coast and nearly extends 
westwardly to a line drawn North and South through the Capital of the 
State. This section abounds in navigable sounds, rivers and creeks, in 
which fish are abundant. The shad and herring fisheries are sources of 
great profit. The soil is either rich loam, or sandy land, or extensive swamp 
rich lands. The sandy lands abound in pine forests, from which turpentine 
and tar are made ; are easily cultivated and improved ; are not naturally 
very productive ; but when improved give a profitable return in cotton, corn, 
potatoes (sweet), peas, pea-nuts, grapes and vegetables of all kinds. The 
rich lands, whether up-land or swamp, are very productive. Some of these 
lands produce a bale of picked cotton to the acre, or 75 to 100 bushels of 
Indian corn. This whole eastern section, is flat and damp, but will produce 
cotton and corn in great abundance, and is finely adapted to truck farming. 
The pine and cypress timber ©f this whole section is immensely valuable. 
The North-eastern counties are valuable for fisheries, fine cypress timber r 
and are equal to any for Indian corn, wheat, vineyards, &c. The middle 
and southern counties of this region, embrace the best cotton portions of 
the State, and are valuable for fisheries, timber, com, truck farming, pea- 
nuts, vineyards, &c, being contiguous to market by Rail Road and water 
communication. Like all low countries, it is subject to malarious diseases, 
such as bilious fever and ague and fever. Good drainage and proper care, 
however, make it a healthy and desirable region. It is perhaps superior to 
any section of the United States, in affording a good living for the smallest 
amount of labor. This region will become famous as a grape growing and 
wine making country. 

The middle or second department is undulating and hilly, growing more 
so as you approach the mountains. The eastern and southern counties of 
this department, abound in lands from ordinary to good, and are productive 
of cotton, corn, wheat, potatoes, fruits of all kinds, &c. They are generally 
very healthy, with good pure water, and intersected with Rail Roads. 
Mines of coal, iron, gold and copper are numerous, and water-power is 



(5) 

abundant for manufacturing. The northern and western counties of this 
department produce tobacco, corn, wheat and the grasses, finely. 

The Western department embraces the mountain region, which is capable 
of being made one of the finest grazing countries in the world. Horses, cattle, 
sheep and swine are raised in large numbers. As a wool growing region, it 
is very superior. Here, also, mines of gold, copper and iron abound and the 
water power is unsurpassed. It is a bleak but exceedingly healthy region, 
and Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley and fruits grow well. But for further 
and more specific information, we refer the reader to the description given of 
each County in the body of the work, and to the letters before alluded to. 

Besides the general character of our population, the salubrity of our 
climate, the variety, productiveness and improvability of our soil, our mining 
and manufacturing advantages and our Rail Roads, all well calculated to 
interest and invite the traveller, we can point to the educational advantages 
of the State with great pride. Besides the University of the State, there are 
five or six Male Colleges of high grade, together with a number of first class 
high schools and academies in full operation. In female education this State 
is not behind any in the liberality of its provisions. There are about twenty 
Female Colleges and High Schools in the State. Formerly the State pro- 
vided quite liberally for Common or Public School instruction for all the white 
children of the State. Under the new order of things, a still more liberal 
provision will be made for all the children of the State, without regard to 
color or condition. White and black will be, however, educated in separate 
schools. 

With this brief outline of the general characteristics of the State, we shall 
not longer detain the reader from the body of the work. 

The Editor. 

Raleigh, N. C, April 15, 1869. 



STA.TISTTCAJL 

AND 



DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF COUNTIES, id 



ALAMANCE. 

This county was taken from the western part of Orange 
county, in 1848. It lies in the middle tier of counties and is 
bounded N. by Caswell county, E. by Orange, S. by Chatham 
and W. by Guilford. 

Area, 500 square miles. 

Population 11,000. 

Farms, 923; acres improved, 98,250 ; acres unimproved, 
115,000. 

Natural growth of trees: maple, white, red and chestnut 
oak, hickory and walnut. 

Annual products : corn, about 500,000 bushels ; wheat, 
82,000 bushels; oats, 11,000 bushels; hay, 3,785 tons; cotton, 
150 bales; tobacco, 15,000 pounds; butter, 100,000 pounds; 
fruits and vegetables, abundant. 

Stock: horses and mules, 3,335; cattle, 8,000; sheep, 8,500; 
hogs, 22,500. 

Schools: Col. Bingham's, at Mebanesville; Rev. Mr. Long's, 
and Rev. A. Currie's, at Graham; male and female academy 
at Company Shops, and others. 

Churches, 33. 

Lawyers, 3; doctors, 12; mills, 15; cotton factories, 5; post 
offices, 14. 

This county is watered by Saxapahaw river and Alamance, 
Mary's Bark and other creeks. The surface is undulating; 
soil, highly productive; farms good, and low grounds rich. 

The North Carolina Central Rail Road connecting the 
Eastern and Western portions of the State, runs through this 
county. 

Company Shops, where the North Carolina Rail Road has 
its offices and engine and car works, is a pretty place, and 
gives promise of great future prosperity. 



(8) 

Graham, the county seat, named after Gov. Graham, is 
about 58 miles west of Raleigh. 

ALEXANDER. 

This county was formed from Iredell, Wilkes and Caldwell 
counties in 1846. It is in the mountain region. 

Area, 300 square miles. 

Population, 6,250. It is drained by the Yadkin, Mitchell 
and Little Rivers and several creeks. 

Farms, 653; acres improved, 30,000; acres unimproved, 
105,000. 

Annual products: corn, 165,000 bushels; wheat, 10,000 bush- 
els; rye and oats, 40,000 bushels; Irish and sweet potatoes, 
30,000 bushels; peas and beans, 3,000 bushels; butter, 32,000 
pounds; flax, 12,000 pounds; cotton, 15,000 pounds; wool, 15,- 
000 pounds; honey and beeswax, 12,000 pounds. 

Native forests: oak, walnut, beach, maple, poplar and 
chestnut. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,380; cattle, 3,599; sheep, 5,112; 
hogs, 10,056. 

Churches, 20. Schools: Cheoway Academy; York Institute; 
Elk Shoal Academy; United Baptist Institute and many others. 
Cotton factory, 1; mills, 14. Tanneries, several. 

This county is surrounded by mountains, and abounds in 
mineral springs, chiefly chalybeate and sulphur. Climate, 
healthy. Land productive. 

Taylorsvillb, the county seat, is 150 miles west from 
Raleigh. 

ALLEGHANY. 

This county, lately formed from the eastern part of Ashe, 
lies between the Blue Ridge and the Virginia line. 

Area, about 290 square miles. 

Churches, 16; ministers, 13; Lawyer, 1; College, Alleghany, 
at Gap Civil; Schools, at various points; post offices, 4; mills, 
6; mines, in numerous places. 

Farms, 390. 

Annual products: corn, 100,000 bushels; wheat, 3,000 bush- 
els; rye and oats, 75,000 bushels; buckwheat, 3,000 bushels; 
pease, 12,000 bushels; Irish and sweet potatoes, 1,500 bushels; 
butter and cheese, 6,500 pounds; flax seed, 500 bushels; flax, 
12,500 pounds; maple sugar, 5,000 pounds; tobacco, 2,500 
pounds; wool, 14,000 pounds; honey and beeswax, 12,000 
pounds; hay, 4,000 tons; fruits, in value, $500. 



(9) 

Trees, natural growth: white, Spanish and chestnut oaks, 
and black and white pine. 

Mountains: Fisher's Gap, Elk Spur, Lame Spring, Peach 
Bottom and Saddle. 

Rivers; New and Little. 

Creeks: Crab, Glade, Prather's, Elk, Chestnut, Brush, Big 
Pine and others. 

Climate, cool and healthy. Soil, good. Fine grazing 
country. 

Spaeta, the county seat, is about 200 miles from Raleigh. 

ANSON. 

This county, named from Admiral Anson of the British 
Navy, was formed in 1740, and extended at that time to the 
western limits of the State. 

Area, 650 square miles. 

Population, 13,000. 

Farms, 075; acres improved, 93,965; acres unimproved, 213,- 
167. 

Annual products; corn, 500,000 bushels; wheat, 40,000 
bushels; oats, 110,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 35,000 bushels; 
cotton, 4,000,000 pounds; wool, 12,000 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules, 3,012; cattle, 11,452: sheep, 8,171; 
hogs, 23,000. 

Natural forest: oak, pine, walnut and hickory. 

Rivers: Rocky and Yadkin. Creeks: Brown's, Lane's, 
Guild's and Jones. Mills, 20; tanneries, 2; distilleries, 20; 
spirits manufactured, 1.500 gallons. Gold mine, Bailey's. 

Churches, 23; College, Carolina Female. Academies; 
Blanch's, Gum Spring, Lilesville, and Rocky Hill. Schools 
abundant. 

Soil fertile, surface unbroken. Cotton grows finely and is the 
chief market crop. People intelligent and many substantial 
planters. 

The Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherfordton Rail Road 
passes through the county. 

Wadesboro', the county seat, is about 120 miles south-west 
from Raleigh. 

ASHE. 

This county, named in honor of Gov. Ashe, was formed in 
1799. Population, 7,000 

Farms, 750; acres improved, 50,000; acres unimproved, 
145,000. 

Annual products: corn, 110,000 bushels; wheat, 3,500 do; 



(10) 

oats, 100,000 do; pease, 1,500 do; buckwheat, 5,000 do; Irish 
potatoes, 2,500 do; butter, 95,000 pounds; maple sugar, 10,- 
815 do; tobacco, 5,000 do; wool, 10,500 do; honey and bees- 
wax, 18,000 do; flax, 15,500 do; hay 5,000 tons. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,500; cattle, 6,500; sheep, 4,500; 
hogs, 14,000. 

Forest: oak, hickory, maple, ash and walnut. 

Surface, mountainous. Soil, on hill sides and valleys, very 
productive. Climate, healthy. This county is at present 
without railroad facilities; therefore land is cheap. A fine 
grazing region. 

Jefferson the county seat, is about 200 miles northwest of 
Raleigh. 

BEAUFORT. 

This county, named for the Duke of Beaufort, lies in the 
Eastern part of the State. It was organized in 1741. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 12,500. 

Soil, very fertile. 

Farms, 594; acres improved, 30,760 ; acres unimproved, 
180,981. 

Annual products: corn, 160,000 bushels; wheat, 7,000 bushels; 
oats, 6,000 bushels; Irish and sweet potatoes, 160,000 bushels; 
pease, 20,000 bushels; cotton, 1,000,000 pounds; tar, pitch and 
turpentine, 110,000 barrels; fish, 5,000 barrels; lumber, very 
large quantities. 

Stock : horses and mules, 1,150 ; cattle, 13,500 ; sheep, 
8,250; hogs, 18,279. 

Trees, natural: cypress, juniper, long-leaf pine, oak, hick- 
ory and gum. 

There are in this county large tracts of swamp or poccosin 
lands, which, when cleared and cultivated, will produce from 
50 to 100 bushels of corn, or from 400 to 500 pounds of lint 
cotton per acre. They may be had very cheap and offer great 
inducements to actual settlers. 

Washington, the county seat, lies at. the head of the Pamp- 
lico river, and is 120 miles east by south from Raleigh. Pop- 
ulation, about 2,000. It carries on a large export trade with 
New York and the West Indies. Other towns are Aurora 
and Bath. 

BERTIE. 

This county, which lies on the Albemarle Sound and between 
he Chowan and Roanoke rivers, was organized in 1733. 



(11) 

Area, 800 square miles. 

Population, 13,000. 

Doctors, 6; lawyers, 5; churches, 17; post offices, 6; mills, 
many; distilleries, (turpentine,) several. 

Farms, 524 ; acres improved, 92,600 ; acres unimproved, 
203,803. 

Annual products: corn, 560,000 bushels; wheat, 3,000 bush- 
els; sweet potatoes, 100,000 bushels; pease, 90,000 bushels; 
cotton, 2,200,000 pounds; wool 12,000 pounds; fish, 25,000 
barrels; hay, 35,000 tons. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,297; cattle, 10,880; sheep, 6,654; 
hogs, 33,081. 

Native growth: long-leaf pine, juniper, cypress, oak and 
hickory. Pine and cypress timber valuable. 

Rivers: Roanoke, Chowan, Cashie and Cashoke. 

This county abounds in rich lands, of which the best are 
still covered with dense forest, offering great inducements to 
lumbermen. Fruits and vegetables grow here a month earlier 
than in New Jersey, and may be transported directly by water 
from the farm to New York. 

The fisheries of this county are sources of great profit. 

Cotton grows finely in Bertie. 

Windsor, the county seat, situated on the Cashie river, is 
157 miles east from Raleigh. 

BLADEN. 

This county, which lies in the South-eastern part of the 
State, was formed in 1734. 

Area, 800 square miles. 

Population, 10,000. 

Doctors, 9; lawyers, 4; churches, 25; schools, number not 
known; mills, saw, 6; distilleries, turpentine, 6; manufactories, 
turpentine and tar, 40. 

Farms, 486; acres, improved, 47,608; acres, unimproved, 
400,000. 

Annual products: corn, 200,000 bushels; wheat, 15,000 
bushels; oats, 5,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 100,000 bushels; 
cotton, 60,000 pounds; wool, 7,500 pounds; rice, 75,000 pounds; 
pease, large quantities; turpentine, 15,000 barrels; lumber, 
value, $50J000. 

This is a very fertile county, capable of great development; 
and when its rich swamp lands are drained and cultivated, 
will produce ten fold more than it does at present. Lands 
cheap. The Wilmington, Charlotte and Ruth. Rail Road runs 
through it, and furnishes, in connection with its rivers and 
creeks, easy transportation to a good market at Wilmington. 



(12) 

Elizabeth Town, the county seat is situated on Cape Pear 
river, and is 60 miles from Wilmington, and about 90 miles 
Southeast from Raleigh. 

BRUNSWICK. 

This county, which lies in the extreme Southeastern part of 
the State, was organized in 1764. Surface, level. Soil, sandy. 

Area, 950 square miles. 

Population, 8,000. 

Lawyers, 4; churches, 23; post offices, 4; Academies, Way- 
man and Smith ville; Schools convenient; manufactories, tar 
and turpentine, 50. 

Farms, 385; acres improved, 18,500; acres unimproved, 
247,600. 

Annual products: corn, 60,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
118,000 bushels; cotton, 10,000 pounds; wool, 3,000 pounds; 
rice, 3,000,000 pounds; lumber, value, $15,000; tar, pitch and 
turpentine, value $18,000; machines, rice, 6. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,000; cattle, 8,500; sheep, 3,500; 
hogs, 12,525. 

Trees, natural: long-leaf pine, juniper, live oak and cypress. 

Green and Cypress Swamps abound in timber, and when 
cleared, ditched and cultivated, will yield most abundant 
crops. 

200,000 acres of the best lands are for sale, and ojffer splen- 
did openings for capital, labor and skill. 

Smithville, the county seat, situated on the Elizabeth 
river, near the mouth of the Cape Fear river, in sight of the 
oceau, is 173 miles South-west of Raleigh. It is a place of 
fashionable summer resort. In the vicinity are Forts Johnson 
and Caswell. 

BUNCOMBE. 

This county, named for Col. Buncombe of Washington 
county, was organized in 1791. 

Area, 5,000 square miles. 

Population, 13,000. 

Ministers, 15; doctors, 14; lawyers, 19; churches, 20; mills, 
grist, 15; factories, &c, 6; newspapers, 2; post offices, 9. 

Farms, 1,250; acres, improved, 75,350; acres unimproved, 
506,200. 

Annual products: corn, 50,000 bushels; wheat, 25,000 bush- 
els; oats and rye, 150,000 bushels; butter, 125,000 pounds; 
wool, 150.000 pounds; tobacco, 10,000; ginseng, value, 
€00; apples, peaches, Irish potatoes, &c, large quantities. 



(13) 

Stock: horses and mules, 3,708; cattle, 16,500; sheep. 14,000: 
hogs, 28,608. 

Native forest: hickory, oak, maple, ash and walnut. 

This county lies amid the ranges of the Blue Ridge, and is 
watered by the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers, and by 
numerous creeks and mountain streams. It is one of the most 
salubrious portions of this continent. Mineral springs of 
great value abound. The soil, in the valleys and mountain 
sides, is very pioductive. Fruits and vegetables grow lux- 
uriantly. Apples weighing from 14 to 15 ounces are common. 
Lands vary from one dollar to fifty dollars per acre. 

Asheville, the county seat, is 250 miles from Raleigh. It 
is much visited by invalids from various parts of the State. 

The proposed route of the Western North Carolina Rail 
Road, which will connect Beaufort Harbor on the Atlantic 
ocean, with Tennessee, runs near Asheville, and. when com- 
pleted, will make it accessible to all portions of the land. 

BURKE. 

This county, named for Sir Edmund Burke, the great Eng- 
lish orator, was founded in 1777. 

Area, 400 square miles. 

Population 10,000. 

Doctors, 7; lawyers, 4; churches, 28; mills, 12; post offices, 
4; schools, Morgan ton Academy, Rock Seminary, <fcc. 

Farms, 375 ; acres improved, 30,000; acres unimproved, 
110,000. 

Annual products: corn, 600,000 bushels; wheat, 45,000 bush- 
els; oats and rye, 36,000 bushels; cotton, 50,000 pounds; wool, 
26,000 pounds; tobacco, 18,000 pounds. 

Gold, in 1850, value, $50,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,550; cattle, 5,250; sheep, 3,528: 
hogs, 10,660. 

Trees, natural: hickory, oak, walnut, &c. 

This county lies on the Eastern side of the Blue Ridge, and 
is watered by the Catawba, Sumerville and John's Rivers, and 
numerous creeks. Surface, broken and hilly. Soil, rich and 
productive. Scenery, charming. Climate, most salubrious. 
The Western North Carolina Rail Road runs through this 
county. - — 

Morg anton, the county seat, is 1,100 feet above the level 
of the sea, and lies 197 miles west from Raleigh. It is a place 
of resort in summer, for pleasure seekers and invalids. 

CABARRUS. 

This county lies in the southwestern part of the State. It 
was formed out of Mecklenburg; in 1802. 



(14) 

Area, 350 square miles. 

Population 10,450. 

Ministers, 15; doctors, 12; Lawyers, 4; churches, 23; cotton 
factories, 2; grist mills, 15; tanneries, 6; North Carolina col- 
lege at Mount Pleasant; Classical school at Concord, and 
others. Gold and copper mines, 7. 

The Reed Gold Mine was discovered in 1799 and is said to 
have been the first discovered in the United States. Several 
of these mines have been very productive. 

Farms, 845: acres improved, 64,500; unimproved, 125,700. 

Annual products: corn, 500,000 bushels; wheat, 85,000 bush 
els; oats and rye, 5(3,000 bushels; sweat potatoes, 25,000 bush- 
els; cotton, 1,000,000 pounds; wool, 16,000 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules, 3,500; cattle, 4,500; sheep, 5,000 
hogs, 10,550. 

Trees, natural: poplar, oak, walnut, hickory, &c. 

Soil fertile. Population, intelligent and moral. 

Concord, the county seat, contains about 1800 inhabitants, 
and is 139 miles from Raleigh. 

CALDWELL. 

This county, named after Pres. Caldwell of Chapel Hill, 
was organized in 1841. It lies in the mountains. 
. Area, 450 square miles. 

Population 4,500. 
. Ministers, 19; Doctors, 4; churches, 20; schools: Davenport 
Female College at Lenoir ; Lenoir Male Academy ; Mount 
Bethel Academy and others. 

Farms, 366; acres improved, 25,500; unimproved, 100,000. 

Annual products: corn, 200,000 bushels; wheat, 5,000 bush- 
els; oats and rye, 35,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 15,000 
bushels; peas, 2,000 bushels; butter, 40,000 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,226; cattle, 4,500; sheep, 4,225; 
hogs, 11,225. 

Forest: oak, hickory, walnut, maple, &c. 

This county is watered by the Catawba, Yadkin and John's 
rivers and by Buffalo and King's creeks. 

The county is mountainous. The farming lands are rich 
and productive. It contains a most excellent population. 

Lenoir, the county seat, is 200 miles west of Raleigh. A 
favorite resort in summer. 

CAMDEN. 

This county, named after Earl Camden of England, was 
organized in 1777. It lies in the north-eastern part of the 



(15) 

State. Surface, level. Soil, generally a sandy loam and very 
rich and fertile. 

Area, 280 square miles. 

Population, 1,500. 

Ministers, 6; lawyers, 6; doctors, 3; churches, 8; post offices, 
2; mills, 3; schools: Jonesboro and Savage Creek Academies; 
shingle mills, 6. 

Farms, 579: acres improved, 38,400; unimproved, 36,950. 

Annual products: corn, 360,000 bushels; wheat, 3.500 bush- 
els; oats and rye, 10,000 bushels; peas, 10,000 bushels; sweet 
potatoes, 39,000 bushels; cotton, 10.000 pounds; wool 5,000 
pounds; flax, 30,000 pounds; honey and beeswax, 10,500 pounds; 
fish, 1,000 barrels ; lumber, value, $15,000 ; brandy, value, 
$2,500. 

This county is peculiarly adapted to the culture of early 
fruits and vegetables, which find a profitable market at Balti- 
more, Philadelphia and New York, via Norfolk, Va., by the 
Dismal Swamp canal. 

Camden Court House, the county seat, is 219 miles north- 
east from Raleigh. 

CARTERET. 

This county was one of the original English settlements. 
It lies on the Atlantic coast. 

Area, square miles. 

Population 8,0U0. 

Ministers, 6; doctors, 10; lawyers, 4; churches, 7; post 
offices, 3; manufactories, 2. 

Farms, 394; acres improved, 30,769; unimproved, 180,981. 

Annual products: corn, 52,500 bushels; wheat, 3,000 bushels; 
oats, 1,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; pease. 55,000 bushels, 
wool, 3,000 pounds; butter, 2,000 pounds; honey, 6,000 pounds; 
hay, 500 tons. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,120; cattle, 13,980; sheep, 8,169; 
hogs, 18,279. 

Trees: long-leaf pine, oak, hickory, persimmon and cedar. 

The Atlantic Rail Road runs through this county, connect- 
ing Morehead City with Goldsboro, the Eastern terminus of 
the North Carolina Rail Road. 

There is a large quantity of swamp land in the county 
belonging to the State, which will soon be brought into 
market. 

Beaufort, the county seat, distant 150 miles from Raleigh, 
has a very fine harbor, and is a fashionable summer resort. 



(16) 



CASWELL. 

This county, named after the first Governor of North Car- 
olina, was formed from Orange county in 1777. 

Area, 400 square miles. 

Population, 16,500. 

Surface, hilly. Soil, good and productive. Tobacco and 
wheat are the principal market crops. 

Ministers, 12; doctors, 15; lawyers, 5; churches, 25; schools, 
Dan River Institute, Leasburg male and female, and Milton 
female academies, and others. Post offices, 8; mills, grist, 24; 
foundry. 1 ; cotton factory. 

Farms, 735; acres improved, 123,000; unimproved, 115,890. 

Annual products: corn, 360,000 bushels; wheat, 12,100 
bushels; oats, 3,000 bushels; rye, 3,000 bushels; sweet pota- 
toes, 32,000; pease, 3,000 bushels; cotton, 100,000 pounds; 
wool, 8,500 pounds; butter, 75,000 pounds; tobacco, 3,550,- 
000 pounds; flax, 8,000 pounds; honey and beeswax, 12,500 
pounds; hay, 3,000 tons. 

Stock:, horses and mules, 2,500; cattle, 7,000; sheep, 7,500;. 
hogs, 21,225. 

Forests: oak, pine, hickory, gum and ash. 

The G-reenboro and Danville Va., Rail Road runs through 
the Northwest part of the county. Land from $2 to $10 
per acre. 

Yanceyville, the county seat, is 66 miles Northwest from 
Raleigh. 

CATAWBA. 

This county, named from the Catawba river, was formed 
from Lincoln county, in 1842. 

Area 250 square miles. 

Population, 11,000. 

Surface, hilly. 

Soil, rich. 

Ministers, 8; doctors 3; lawyers 3; churches, 30; post offices,. 
6; iron forges, 2; foundries, 4. 

Farms, 939; acres improved, 64,500; unimproved, 154,225. 

Annual products : corn, 350,000 bushels; wheat, 50,000 
bushels; oats and rye, 65,000 bushels; Irish and sweet potatoes, 
35,000 bushels; butter, 75,000 pounds; wool, 10,500 pounds; 
flax, 7,000 pounds; tobacco, 6,500 pounds; honey and beeswax, 
11,250 pounds; hay, 3,000 tons. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,915; cattle, 6,115; sheep, 6,250; 
hogs, 20,000. 

Trees, natural: maple, walnut, hickory, oak. 



(IT) 

The Western N. C. Rail Road runs through the length of this 
county. Iron ore abundant. Lands cheap. 

Newton, the county seat, is 175 miles west from Raleigh. 

CHATHAM. 

This county was organized in 1770, named alter Earl Chat- 
ham of England. Surface very broken, soil fertile. 

Area, 700 square miles. 

Population, 28,000. 

Farms, 1,635; 139,500 acres improved; 300,000 acres unim- 
proved. 

Annual Productions about 650,000 bushels corn; 125,000 
bushels wheat; 100,000 bushels oats; 500,000 pounds tobacco; 
5,0;)0 tons of hay; 1,000 bales of cotton; 10,000 pounds of 
iron; $5,000 worth of lumber; 90,000 bushels sweet and Irish 
potatoes; 150,'jOO pounds let DO bushels 

pease; 10,000 pounds flax; 10,000 pounds wool; 5,000 pounds 
honey and beeswax. 

Churches, 50 ; minis 15; lawyers, 7. 

Factories, &c: Egypt] 'and ma 

shop at Lockviile; iron manufacturing company at Egypt; 
grist mills, 25; post offices, 13. 

Schools: Pittsboro' scientific academy; Pittsboro' female 
acadi school; Mt. Vernon semina 

The Chatham C county are generally 

known. A Rail Road has been coi from Fayetteville 

to the Coal Fields, on Deep river. Another Rail Road is being 
pushed through from Carey, on the North Carolina Central 
Rail ] from Raleigh to Columbia 

these, other Road which must fully develope 

tin's mineral region. 

These improvem Chatham one of the most 

prosperous counties in the State. 300,000? >od lands 

in tins eo I be brought into are now 

cheap 

' , hickory, maple, walnut and j 

Pittsboro' is the county scat 

EROKJ 

ed in 1839 from Macon, derives its 
name from a tribe of Indians, some of whom still remain. It 

i part of the State. The face 
of the county is mouu and picturesque. 

Area 700 squar< 
Population 6,000. 
Forests: maple, oak, hi6kory, ash, walnut, <£c. 



(18) 

Farms 450; 25,000 acres improved; 75,000 unimproved. 

Annual productions about, 205,000 bushels of corn; 3,000 
bushels of wheat; 35,000 bushels of oats; 2,000 bushels of 
r ( ye; 25,000 bushels of sweet potatoes; 50,000 pounds of butter 
and cheese. 

Stock: 1,500 horses and mules; 6,500 cattle; 5,000 sheep; 
12,000 hogs. 

Gold and iron are found. 

Churches 10; ministers 6; lawyers 2; doctors 4; grist mills 
10; merchants 10; post offices 4. 

This county is watered by the Hiawassee, Valley and Not- 
ley rivers and a number of mountain streams. 

Its mines of flesh, colored marble, gold, copper, iron 
and silver, are to be developed at a future day, when rail 
roads penetrate the mountains. 

The soil is very rich, in the valleys and along the streams. 
Land is very cheap and abundant. A fine grazing county. 

Murphy is the county seat, it lies near the junction of Hia- 
wassee and Valley rivers, on the route of the Western Turnpike. 

CHOWAN. 

This county derived its charter from King Charles the II, 
and its name from an Indian tribe. It lies in the Northeastern 
part of the State and is watered by the Albemarle Sound and 
Chowan River. 

Area 250 square miles. 

Farms: 344; 40,000 acres improved; 52,000 unimproved. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,200; cattle, 4,500; sheep, 2,500; 
hogs, 15,000. 

Annual products about 300,000 bushels of corn; 20,000 
bushels wheat; 15,000 bushels oats; 150,000 pounds cotton; 
20,000 barrels of fish; 95,000 bushels sweet potatoes; 35,000 
bushels pease; 15,000 pounds butter and cheese; 1,670 tons of 
hay; 10,500 pounds rice. 

Churches 20; lawyers 5; doctors 7; grist mills 4. 

Academies: Edenton academy, Episcopal parochial school, 
and several others; postoffices, 3, 

It was from this county the first bag of cotton was shipped 
in July 1768. 

The Albemarle Sound Fisheries are large and very profita- 
ble. Some of the seines are drawn by mules and windlass, 
and are said to be two miles in length. The quantity of 
shad, herring, rock and other fish caught in these waters is 
immense. 

This county possesses great water facilities. Sail vessels 
and steamboats navigate the Sound and rivers. A Rail Road 



(19) 

is projected from Edenton to Suffolk, Ya. The winters are 
mild, stock need but little wintering and can be raised in large 
•quantities. 

Timber: pitch pine, gum, oak, cypress, juniper and cedar. 

The lands are fertile, and produce corn, wheat and cotton 
finely. 

Edenton, the county seat, settled in 1716, and has been the 
abode of wealth and refinement. Distance from Raleigh 150 
miles. 

CLAY. 

This county was lately organized from the southern part of 
Cherokee. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population, 3,000. 

Annual products: corn, 50,000 bushels; wheat, 1,000 bushels; 
Irish potatoes, 10,000 bushels; Mines: gold, silver, copper 
and iron. 

Natural growth of timber: oak, hickory, chesnut, &c. 

Lands abundant and cheap. A fine grazing region. 

Fort Hembrie, the county seat, is 360 miles west from 
Raleigh. 

CLEAVELAND. 

This county was organized out of Lincoln and Rutherford 
in 1840. 

Area, 650 square miles. 

Population, 12,500. 

Doctors, 6; lawyers, 4; churches, 30; mills: grist, 10; saw, 4; 
paper, 1; Tanneries, 5; Iron forges, 3. 

Farms, 961; acres improved, 62,000; unimproved, 186,500. 

Annual products: corn, 450,000 bushels; wheat, 36,000 
bushels; oats and rye, 65,000 bushels; pease, 5,000 bushels; but- 
ter and cheese, 100,000 pounds; cotton, 200,000 pounds; wool, 
15,000 pounds; flax, 2,000 pounds; tobacco, 6,000 pounds; 
honey and beeswax, 10,00 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules, 3,500; cattle, 7,500; sheep, 8,000; 
hogs, 16,500. 

Native growth: pine, chestnut, oak, hickory, &c. 

Shelby, the county seat, is 190 miles south by west from 
Raleigh. 

The Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad runs 
through this county. 



(20) 



COLUMBUS. 

Was organized "in 1808 and named after Columbus, the 
great discoverer. 

Surface, level; soil sandy on the ridges, rich, near and on 
the water courses. It is drained by the Waccamaw, and Lum- 
ber rivers, White Gum and Beaver creeks. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 9,000 

Annual products: 2,000 bushels wheat; 200,000 bushels corn; 
5,000 bushels oats and rye; 200,000 bushels sweet potatoes; 
5,000 bushels peas; 16,000 pounds butter and cheese; 2,000 
barrels turpentine; $20,000 worth of lumber; 50,000 pounds 
cotton; 8,000 pounds wool. 

Farms, 400 ; 26,000 acres improved; 262,000 acres unim- 
proved. 

Stock: 750 horses and mules; 10,600 cattle; 14,500 sheep; 
hogs, 20,000. 

Churches 20; lawyers, 4; doctors, 4. 

Schools: Whitesville academy and other schools. 

Timber: long-leaf pine, white oak, red oak, Spanish oak r 
water oak, juniper, cypress, &c. 

This county is one whose prospective wealth is difficult to 
estimate. Its resources, extensive forests and rich soil with 
facilities for transportation by water and rail road are excelled 
by few counties in the State. The Manchester and Wilming- 
ton rail road runs through this county. Marl of the best 
kind for manure is found in nearly all parts of this county. 
300,000 acres of splendid timber and farming lands are in the 
market, from one' dollar to five dollars per acre. The far- 
famed Scuppernong grape grows here finely, and the native 
wines made are of the best kind. The business of making 
wine is profitable and increasing. 

Whiteville is the county town. It is near the Wilmiug- 
and Manchester rail road, "about 50 miles from Wilmington 
and 150 miles from Raleigh. 

CKAVEN, 

this county was fettled and organized in 1729. 

Area, land and water, 1,000 square miles. 

Population, 16,500. 

Doctors, 20; lawyers, 10; churches, 25; post offices, 6. Mills: 
grist, 6; saw, 4; shingle, 4. Manufactories, tar and tuipsntine, 
40. Schools, 12. 

Farms, 403; acres improved, 63,450; unimproved, 300,000; 
cash value of farms, $1,375,500. 



(21) 

Annual products: corn, 314,000 bushels; wheat, 4,540 bush- 
els; rye, 3,500 bushels; oats, 3,000 bushels; pease, 30,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 9,550 bushels; sweet potatoes, 150,000 
bushels; butter, 21,000 pounds; rice, 35,000 pounds; wool, 
10,834 pounds; honey, 52,000 pounds; beeswax, 5,000 pounds; 
turpentine, 150,000 barrels; fish, 25,000 barrels; hay, 1,375 
tons; fruits, value, $5,000; lumber, value, $50,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,400; cattle, 13,772; sheep, 
6,037; hogs, 25,000. 

Trees, natural: pitch pine, white and red oak, juniper and 
cypress. 

Soil, on streams and lakes, rich and valuable. Marl of the 
best kind abundant. The soil and climate are admirably 
adapted to the culture of grapes of all kinds. 

New Berne, the county seat, derived its name from Berne, 
in Switzerland, whence Baron de Graffenreidt emigrated in 
1709, being followed the second year by 1,500. It is situated 
at the junction of the Trent and Neuse rivers, is a port of 
entry and carries on considerable trade. It is 120 miles from 
Raleigh. 

CUMBERLAND. 

This county, named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland 
was organized in 1764. It lies in the Southern part of the 
State. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 15,500. 

Ministers, 25; lawyers, 16; doctors, 10; churches, 32; 
schools: Academics, 0, and other schools. Mills, cotton, 3; 
grist, 10; distilleries, turpentine, 23; post offices, 8. 

Farms, 1,000; acres improved, 63,500; unimproved, 300,000. 

Annual products: corn, 313,413 bushels; wheat, 4,500 bush- 
els; rye, 3,500 bushels; oats, 2,610 bushels; pease and beans, 
29,549 bushels; Irish potatoes, 9,575 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
150,000 bushels; butter. 25,000 pounds; rice, 32,000 pounds; 
wool, 10,957 pound:'-; cotton, 400,000 pounds, honey, 0,500 
pounds; hay, 2,625 tons; wine, 1,550 gallons. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,500; cattle, 13,015; sheep, 6,007. 

Trees, natural: oak, pine, gum, ash, poplar, cypress, &c. 

This county is watered by the Cape Pear and Lower Little 
rivers and their tributaries. The Cape Fear is navigable to 
Fayctteville. The water power in this county is immense, and 
if controlled by scientific and energetic men, would become a 
.source of great wealth. Capitalists and manufacturers should 
visit and examine this most valuable portion of the State with 
the view of investment. 



(22) 

Fayetteville, the county seat, is one of the largest cities 
in the State. It is 100 miles by water from Wilmington and 
60 miles from Kaleigh. Its location, and natural and artifi- 
cial resources promise for it a future of great material pros- 
perity. 

CURRITUCK. 

This county, named from an Indian tribe, lies in the north- 
eastern part of the State. 

Area, 200 square miles. 

Population, 7,500. 

Doctors, 6; lawyers, 3; churches, 12; academies, 2 and 
other schools; post offices, 3. 

Farms, 500: acres improved, 37,000; unimproved, 90,000. 

Annual products : corn, 300,000 bushels; wheat, 1,500 bush- 
els; oats and rye 2,860 bushels; peas, 40,000 bushels; Irish 
and sweet potatoes, 150,000 bushels; butter, 54,000 pounds; 
flax, 30,000 pounds; wool, 12,500 pounds; beeswax and honey,. 
5,000 pounds; scuppernong and other grapes grow finely. 

Lands generally good and productive — recovered swamp* 
lands very rich. Fine fishing section and immense quantities 
of wild game. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,085; cattle, 7,250; sheep, 6,000; 
hogs, 15,500. 

Forests: oak, pine, juniper and cypress. 

Currituck Court House, the county seat, 240 miles from. 
Raleigh. 

DAVIDSON. 

This county was organized from Rowan in 1822. 

Area, 650 square miles. 

Population 16,000. 

Surface, hilly. Lands productive. On the rivers very fine. 
The " Jersey settlement" is a splendid farming section. 

Doctors, 12; lawyers, 8; churches, 41; colleges, 3, and other 
schools; post offices, 6; factories, 3; mills, grist, 15; Mines: 
gold, silver, lead and copper. 

Farms, 1,250: acres improved, 121,500; unimproved, 200,- 
000; farms, value, $1,988,000. 

Annual products : corn, 500,000 bushels; wheat, 225,000 
bushels; rye, 2,000 bushels; oats, 100,000 bushels; peas, 10,- 
000 bushels; Irish and sweet potatoes, 51,750 bushels; butter,, 
85,000 pounds; cotton, 280,000 pounds; wool, 20,000 pounds; 
flax, 5,500 pounds; tobacco, 125,000 pounds; rice, 15,000 



(23) 

pounds; lionev, 50,000 pounds; hay, 3,000 tons; sorghum, 
10,000 gallons; fruits, value $28,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 4,000; cattle, 9,133; hogs, 28,105. 

Trees, natural: ash, oak. elm,, hickory, poplar, chesnut, <fec. 

Several farms in this county highly improved. 

Lexington, the county seat, is 117 miles west of Raleigh on 
the North Carolina Rail Road. 

DAVIE. 

This county was taken from Rowan county, 1836. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population, 8,500. 

Doctors, 14; lawyers, 2; churches, 18; academies, 4; post 
offices, 6; grist mills, 17; tobacco factories, 5; distilleries, 18, 
tanneries, 4. 

Farms, 410: acres improved, 60,000; unimproved, 95,000; 
value, $1,335,000. 

Annual products: corn, 320,000 bushels; wheat, 105,000 
bushels; oats, 64,000 bushels; rye, 3,900 bushels; peas, 8,500 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 6,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 14,000 
bushels; butter, 45,000 pounds; honey, 1,700 pounds; wool, 
7,500 pounds; tobacco, 400,000 pounds; hay, 4,000 tons; Sor- 
ghum, 4,000 gallons; fruits, value $10,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,000; cattle, 4,797; sheep, 5,110; 
hogs, 1,370. 

Trees, natural: ash, elm, hickory, oak, etc. 

The lands are generally good, and well adapted to improved 
culture. Prices moderate. 

Mocksville, the county seat, is 135 miles from Raleigh. 

DUPLIN. 

This county was organized in 1749. 

Area, 670 square miles. 

Population, 15,800. 

Doctors, 12; lawyers, 6; churches, 20; academies, 4; post 
offices 6; saw-mills, 12; tar and turpentine factories, 20. 

Farms, 923; acres improved, 107,000; unimproved, 340,000; 
value, $3,132,000. 

Annual products: corn, 425,000 bushels; wheat, 5,000 bush- 
els; oats, 4,000 bushels; rye, 6,852 bushels; pease, 65,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 10,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 305.000 
bushels, butter, 60,000 pounds; cotton, 8,000,000 pounds; wool, 
13,000 pounds; rice, 125,000 pounds; honey, 51,554 pounds; 
beeswax, 4,000 pounds; hay, 2,860 tons; fruits, value $2,500. 



(24) 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,500; cattle, 11,250; sheep, 
4,500; hogs, 39,000. 

Trees, natural: oak, hickory, pine, &c. 

Soil sandy but productive. Improved swamp lands very 
fine. Markets easy of access. Wilmington and Weldon Rail 
Road runs through the county. 

Kenansville, the county seat, is 86 miles from Raleigh. 

EDGECOMBE. 

This county was organized, from Craven, in 1733. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Soil good. Muck and marl abundant. 

Population, 17,300. 

Farms, 900; acres improved, 134,758; unimproved, 174,600; 
value $4,974,920. 

Doctors, 25; lawyers, 7; churches, 23; schools, 15; grist 
mills, 7; cotton factory, 1. 

Annual products : corn, 725,500 bushels ; wheat, 12,500 
bushels; rye, 11,000 bushels; oats, 66,225 bushels; pease, 
97,758, bushels; Irish potatoes, 15,250 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
200,000 bushels ; butter, 32,000 pounds ; cotton, 10,000,000 
pounds; wool, 9,452 pounds; rice, 6,000 pounds; beeswax, 
2,721 pounds; honey, 2,500 pounds; wine, 2,500 gallons; hay, 
5,408 tons; fruits, value $12,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 4,000; cattle, 9,790; sheep, 5,250; 
hogs, 50,000. 

This is the most highly improved agricultural county in the 
State. Edgecombe is the banner cotton county in the State. 
Accessible to market by Rail Road and water communication. 

Tarboro, the county seat, situated on Tar river is 76 miles 
East from Raleigh. 

FORSYTHE. 

This county was organized out of Stokes in 18-18. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population 12,000. 

Farms, 1,000; acres improved, 75,000; unimproved, 132,- 
500; cash value, $1,175,800. 

Annual products: corn, 318,000 bushels; wheat, 188,000 
bushels; oats, 60,950 bushels; rye, 8,132 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 12,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 21,000 bushels, pease, 
2,350 bushels; butter, 75,000 pounds; honey, 4-7,000; wool, 
10,000 pounds; tobacco, 552,000 pounds; flax seed, 5,586 
bushels; hay, 5,500 tons; fruit, value, $35,000. 

Stock: horses, 2,275; mules, 300; cattle, 6,134; sheep, 
6,386; hogs, 19,000. 



(25) 

Churclics, 24; schools, 12; mills, grist, 25; saw, 6; paper, 
1; factories, cotton, 1; woolen, 1; post offices, 7; ministers, 
15; lawyers, 6; doctors, 14. 

This county is peculiarly adapted to fruit, grain and grass. 

Winston is the county seat. 

Salem, contiguous to Winston, is a beautiful village, 
founded by the Moravians. The Female School at this place 
has been in successful operation for more than half a century, 
and is justly celebrated. More Southern women have been 
educated here than at any other school in the country. 

FRANKLIN. 

This county, named after Benjamin Franklin, was organ- 
ized in 1779. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population, 14,100. 

Farms, 650; acres improved, 119,000; unimproved, 150,000; 
cash value, $3,500,000. 

Annual products: corn, 41(5.500 bushels; wheat, 45,000 
bushels; oats, 32,000 bushels; rye, 11,300 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 8,250 bushels; sweet potatoes, 11,000 bushels; pease, 
32,034 bushels; cotton, 91)0,000 pounds; wool, 8,500 pounds; 
tobacco, 1,962,385 pounds; butter, 70,000 pounds; honev, 
20.000 pounds; hay, 13,000 tons; fruits, value, $10,000. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,500; cattle, 8,675; sheep, 6,250; 
hogs, 27,250. 

Forests: ash. elm, oak, hickory and gum. 

Churches, 26; schools, 5; mills: grist, 75; sav^, 10; tanne- 
ries, 14; post offices, 6; doctors, 15; lawyers. 6. 

The lands arc well adapted to cotton culture. It is a 
healthy section, people intelligent and hospitable. 

LouiSBurv;, the county seat, on the Tar river, is 35 miles 
from Raleigh. There is a Female College and an excellent 
male Academy in this place. 

The Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road runs through this county. 

GASTON. 

This county, named for Judge Gaston, was organized in 
1846. 

Area, 350 square miles. 

Population. 9500. 

Farms, 825; acres improved, 52,800; unimproved 167,500. 
Cash value 1,529.225. 

Annual products: corn, 344,000 bushels; wheat, 74,000 
bushels; oats, 17,000 bushels; pease, 8,000 bushels; Irish 



(26) 

potatoes, 5,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 21,000 bushels; butter, 
85,500 pounds; wool, 10.500 pounds; tobacco, 5.000 pounds, 
honey, 20,500 pounds; hay, 1,250 tons; sorghum, 4,250 gal- 
lons; fruits, value $5,600, 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,500 ; cattle, 6,195; sheep, 5,366; 
hogs, 15,335. 

Trees, natural: ash, hickory, white and red oak, elm and 
walnut. 

Doctors, 8; lawyers, 2; churches, 20; postoffices, 10. Mines, 
gold, 4. Mills, cotton, 3 ; grist, 14. Factories, 2. 

It is watered by the Catawba and its tributaries. Lands 
are good and well adapted to wheat, corn and the grasses. 
Gold mines have been opened here. Water power abundant. 

Dallas, a small village, is the county seat. 

GATES. 

This county, named after General Gates, was organized in 
1779. 

Area, 300 square miles. 

Population, 8,444. 

Farms, 525; acres, improved, 72,678; unimproved, 83,673. 
Cash value, $950,000. 

Annual products: corn; 420,693 bushels; wheat, 10,000 
bushels; oats, 6,852 bushels; rye, 1,435 bushels; pease, 44,- 
828 bushels; Irish potatoes, 8,684 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
162,000 bushels; butter, 15,000 pounds; wool, 5,000 pounds; 
tobacco, 2,000 pounds; honey, 6,000 pounds; hay, 2,800 tons: 
fruits, value, $5,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,147; mules, 250; cattle, 6,500; sheep, 
2,817; hogs, 25,833. 

Trees, natural: pine, oak, (white, Spanish, and red,) hickory, 
juniper, cypress and gum. 

Doctors, 7; lawyers, 2; churches, 17; academies, 10; post 
offices, 6 ; factories, 6 ; mills, grist, 8 ; shingle, 6 

The oak and cypress timber of this county is valuable. Soil 
good and adapted to corn, wheat, cotton and fruits. Recovered 
swamp lands very good. 

Gatesvillb, the county seat is 155 miles North-east from 
Raleigh. 

GRANVILLE. 

This county was formed from Edgecombe in 1786. 

Area, 750 square miles. 

Population, 24,396. 

Soil good, red, yellow and gray. 



(27) 

Faring 1,250; acres improved, 197,500; unimproved, 245,- 
500. Cash value, $3,500,000. 

Annual products: corn, 349,777 bushels; wheat, 183,550 
bushels; oats, 150,000 bushels; rye, 322 bushels; pease, 8,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 12,800 bushels; sweet potatoes, 93,- 
800 bushels; butter, 110,000 pounds; honey, 20,000 pounds; 
wool, 20,500; tobacco, 6,625,594 pounds; hay, 15,000 tons; 
fruits, value, $3,000. 

Stock: horses, 4,294; mules, 500; cattle, 10,500; sheep, 
15,810; hogs, 34,249. 

Trees, natural: oak, (white, Spanish, red and chestnut) 
hickory, ash, elm and gum. Lands productive in wheat, 
tobacco and corn. 

Churches, 50; schools, 18; mills, grist, 13; factories, 
tobacco, 6 ; iron, 1 ; tanneries, 6 ; post offices, 10 ; doctors, 20 ; 
lawyers, 19. 

Oxford, the county seat, a beautiful village, is 45 miles 
from Raleigh. The Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road runs 
through this county. 

Henderson, located on the Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road is 
a growing place, and well situated for trade in a good farming 
section. 

GREENE. 

This county was organized, as Dobbs county, in 1779. The 
name was changed to Greene county in 1799. 

Area, 280 square miles. 

Population 7,935. 

Farms, 5000: acres improved, 63,500; unimproved, 87,500. 
Cash value, $1,658,998. 

Annual products: corn 312,820 bushels; wheat 10,757 bush- 
els; oats 6,020 bushels; rye 8,650 bushels; pease 65,000 bushels; 
Irish potatoes 7,750 bushels; sweet potatoes 76,458 bushels; 
butter 15,000 pounds; cotton 1,835,600 pounds; wool 3,335 
pounds; rice 6,500 pounds; honey 12,000 pounds; hay 3,500 
tons; wine 1,100 gallons; fruits, value $3,000. 

Stock: horses 1,000; mules 500; cattle 3,068; sheep 2,053; 
hogs 22,000. 

Forest: oaks, ash, elm, hickory and pine. 

Doctors, 6; lawyers, 2; churches, 15; academies, 4; and 
other schools in the county. Mills, grist 5. 

Marl of fine quality is found in this county. Land produc- 
tive. Cotton and corn grow well. The grape grows finely. 

Snow Hill the county seat, is 70 miles east from Raleigh. 



(28) 



GUILFORD. 

This county was organized from Rowan and Orange coun- 
ties in 1770. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population. 20,500. 

Surface level, soil good. 

Farms, 1,500 : acres improved, 195,7 1 5 ; unimproved, 180,823. 
■Cash value, 3,500,000. 

Annual products: corn, 515.000 bushels; wheat, 2,000 bush- 
els; oats, 160,000 bushels; rye, 2,500 bushels; pease, 9,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 25,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 5,200 
bushels; rice, 2,000 bushels; cotton, 60,000 pounds; wool, 
22,000 pounds; butter, 150,000 pounds; cheese, 5,000 pounds; 
flax, 5,000 pounds; honey, 39,000 pounds: beeswax, 5,000 
pounds; hay, 8,000 tons; molasses, sorghum, 9,000 gallons; 
fruits, value, $2,500; vegetables, value, $10,000. 

Stock: horses, 3,950; mules, 500; cattle, 13,228; sheep, 14,000; 
hogs, 50,000. 

Native Forests: ash, poplar, elm, hickory, oak, chestnut. 

The lands are adapted to wheat, tobacco and fruits. Health 
good. A number of copper mines in the county. 

Greensboro', the county seat, is 80 miles west of Raleigh. 
Female college at this place. 

The North Carolina Central Rail Road, runs through this 
county. A Rail Road connects Greensboro 7 with Danville, 
Va. It will soon be connected by Rail Road with Salem also. 
High Point, on the N. C. Rail Road, is a good location for a 
village. 

HALIFAX. 

'This county was organized from Edgecombe, in 1858. 

Area, 880 square miles. 

Population, 19,44-1. 

Surface broken. Soil rich. 

Farms, 900: acres improved, 147,615; unimproved, 248,825, 
€ash value, $3,699,426. 

Annual products: corn,' 800,000 bushels; wheat, 36,000 
bushels; oats, 54,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; pease, 45,000 
•bushels; Irish potatoes, 16,000 bushels; s woo i potatoes, 123,000 
bushels; butter, 50,000 pounds; cotton, 4,209,000 pounds; wool, 
9,009 pounds; tobacco, 990,000 pounds; honey, 15,000 pounds; 
beeswax, 2,000 pounds; hay, 6,500 tons; wine, 3,000 gallons; 
fruits, value $16,500. 

Stock: horses, 1,994; mules, 1,500; 'cattle, 11,500; sheep, 
,5,000; hogs, 33,500. 



(29) 

Native growth: cedar, juniper, oak, hickory, ash and elm. 

Churches, 20; doctors, BO; lawyers, 8; academies, 6; post 
offices, 8; mills, 10. 

The rich valley of the Roanoke bounds the county on north 
and east. The lands are immensely rich. The high lands 
and recovered swamp lands are very productive of corn, cot- 
ton and fruits. Many of these lands lie on the rail roads 
leading to Norfolk and Petersburg and are favorably located 
for truck-farming. 

Halifax, the county seat on the Roanoke river, is 87 miles 
north east from Raleigh. The Wilmington and Weldon and 
the Raleigh and Gaston Rail Roads run through this county. 

HARNETT. 

This county lies in the centre ol the State. 

Area, square miles. 

Population, 8,000. 

Farms, -; acres improved, 210,670; unimproved, 2 

000. Cash value, $992,500. 

Annual products: corn. 

Is; oats, 8,200 bushels; rye, 2,000 bushels; Irish potatoes.. 
; sweet potatoes, 110,000 bushels; pease, 2,700; butter, 
28,000 pounds; wool, 7,000 pounds; honey gallons. 

Stock: cattle, 7,500; sheep, 5,000; hogs, 17,000. 
. Long leaf pine, o* 

Chin .7. Docl 

12. Lawyer; 

The lauds are adapted to cotton, cor: 
The pine timber of the county is valuable. 

Lillington, the county seat, is 05 miles from Rale 

WOOB. 

was formed from B 
It lies in the mom ion. 

Area, 900 square miles. 
Popup 
It is drained by river and its trib 

oved, 85,000 ; a( oved. 

100. 
Annual products: corn, 200,000 bushels; wheat, 15,000 
bushels; oats, i. 

• butter. • ay, 10,000 

Stock: h . 2,000; cattle, 250: 

hogs, 18,1 



(30) 

Natural forest: mountain .ash, sugar maple, hickory, oak, 
chestnut, &c. 

Churches, 26; 4 academies and a few primary schools. 

The climate is lovely beyond description, and its moun- 
tain scenery is beautiful. Grain, fruits and the grasses, can be 
cultivated to a very great extent and its mountain ranges are 
favorable for raising large quantities of sheep, horses, &c. 

Lands are abundant, fertile and cheap. 

Waynesville the county seat, is situated in the forks of 
Pigeon river amid beautiful mountain scenery. Distance from 
Raleigh about 295 miles. 

HENDERSON. 

This county was formed out of Buncombe in 1858. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 10,500. 

Farms, 500: acres improved, 43,500; unimproved, 150,500. 
Cash value, $1,515,000. 

Annual products: corn, 326,000 bushels; wheat, 7,000 bush- 
els; oats, 16,000 bushels; rye, 32,500 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
18,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 15,000 bushels; pease, 1,500 
bushels; butter, 50,000 pounds; honey, 12,000 pounds; wool, 
14,000 pounds; tobacco, 2,000 pounds; sorghum, 10,000 gallons; 
hay, 1,000 tons; fruits, value, $16,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,400; mules, 450; cattle, 6,500; sheep, 8,000; 
hogs, 15,750. 

Churches, 22; schools, 6; mills, grist, 12; doctors, 6; law- 
yers, 4. 

The surface is broken. Lands good and well adapted to 
grazing. The bottom lands are very good. 

Hendersonville, the county seat, is 250 miles west by 
South from Raleigh. 

The TVestern Rail Road is to run through this county. 

HERTFORD. 

This county, named after the Earl of Hertford, was formed 
out of Chowan, Bertie and Northampton counties in 1759. 

Area, 320 square miles. 

Population, 10,000. 

Surface, level. Soil very productive. 

Farms, 500; acres improved, 72,550; unimproved, 133,500; 
cash value, $1,321,500. 

Annual products: corn, 407,500 bushels; wheat, 10.600 
bushels; oats, 11,750 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 10,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 120,000, bushels; pjase, 



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28,000 bushels; cotton, 1,000,000 pounds; wool, 5,705 pounds; 
butter, 12,000 pounds; honey, 7,000 pounds; wine, 2,500 
gallons; hsh, 2,000 barrels; hay, 2,500 tons; fruits, value, 
$10,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,144; mules, 500; cattle, 4,400; sheep, 3,500; 
hogs, 21,500. 

Trees, natural: pine, oak, juniper, elm and cedar. 

Churches, 20; colleges, 2, academies, 8; post offices, 6; mills, 
grist, 12; saw, 4; doctors, 14; lawyers, 4. 

The lands of this county are good — well adapted to cotton 
and corn. Several fine fisheries in this county lie on Chowan 
river. Pine and cypress timber valuable. 

Winton, on the Chowan river, is the county seat. 

Murfreesboro' on the Meherrin river, is the principal town. 
It has two Female Colleges, and is a pleasant place. 

HYDE. 

This county, named after General Hyde, was' one of the 
original precincts of 1729. 

Area, 430 square miles. 

Population, 8,000. 

Surface level. Soil rich. 

Farms, 300; acres improved, 32,000; unimproved, 90,500. 
Cash value, $1,700,000. 

Annual product : corn, 500,000 bushels; wheat, 25,000 
bushels: oats, 2,500 bushels; rye, 1,200 bushels; IVish pota- 
toes, 100; sweet potatoes, 8,100; pease, 3,500 bushels; cotton, 
200,000 pounds; wool, 510,000 pounds; honey, 1,500 pounds. 

Stock: horses, 900; mules, 150; cattle, 6,600; hogs, 11,500. 

Trees, natural: red cedar, oak, cypress, gum, long leaf pine, 
juniper and hickory. 

Mills: grist, 3; saw, 4; shingle, 4. Ministers, 7; doctors, 
7 ; lawyers, 2. 

Lands very rich, especially around Mattamuskeet Lake. It 
is one of the finest corn sections in the world. Peat is abun- 
dant in the county. Juniper and cypress timber very valuable. 

Swan Quarter, the county seat, near Pamlico, is 170 miles 
east from Raleigh. 

IREDELL. 

This county, named after Judge Iredell, was formed from 
Rowan county in 1788. 
Area, 600 square miles. 
Population, 15,500. 
Surface hilly, soil, generally productive. 



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Farms 1,200: acres improved, 96,000; unimproved, 227,000. 
Cash value, $2,500,000. 

Annual products: corn, 505,000 bushels; wheat, 135,00® 
bushels; oats, 72,000 bushels; rye, 1,500 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
10,500 bushels; sweet potatoes, 25,000 bushels; pease, 12,500 
bushels; cotton, 200,000 pounds; wool, 15,000 pounds; tobacco, 
150,000 pounds; butter, 84,000 pounds; honey, 56,500 pounds: 
beeswax, 4,000 pounds; flax, 250,000 pounds; sorghum, 8,50(> 
gallons; hay, 4,000 tons; fruits, value, $14,000. 

Stock: horses, 5,000; mules, 1,000; cattle, 11,000; hogs, 
26,000. 

Trees, natural: ash, chestnut, oak and hickory. 

Churches, 40; colleges, 2; academies, 4; other schools; mills,, 
grist, 15; oil, — ; tanneries, 10; factories, cotton, 1; tobacco, 4* 
post offices, 15; ministers, 15; doctors, 25; lawyers, 8. 

This is a good wheat, corn and fruit county. Tobacco also 
grows well, and cotton on its southern border. 

Statesville, the county seat, is 145 miles west from Baleigh. 
A female college here. 

The Western and Charlotte Rail Roads run through this 
county. 

JACKSON. 

This county was organized out of Haywood and Macon 
counties, in 1850, and lies in the south western part of the 
State. Formerly inhabited by the Cherokee Indians of whom 
a few hundred still remain. 

Area, 1,308 square miles. 

Population 5,500. 

Farms 500; 4b,772 acres improved; 775,000 acres unim- 
proved. Much of this is said not to be enlisted and is the pro- 
perty of the State. Perhaps 500,000 acres are in market. 

Of the small portion cultivated, the annual product was in 
1860, wheat, 18,000 bushels; corn 237,987 bushels; oats 11,000 
bushels; beans and peas, 3.000 bushels; Irish potatoes 16,0CO 
bushels; sweet potatoes 15,500; tobacco, 7,000 pounds: wool, 
9,000 pounds; butter, 42,000 pounds; honey, 16,000 pounds; 
molasses, 10,000 gallons; hay, 500 tons; orchard products 
valued at $5,000: 

Stock: horses, 1660; mules, 20-1; milch cows, 1916; other 
cattle, 4223; sheep, 5336; hogs, 16,168. 

Original ; i ) 7th of timber: oak, hickory, chesnut, poplar, 
locust ''and walnut. Immense forests,, still remain untouched. 

Lands vary from poor to very good. Valleys and moun- 
tain sides fertile and very productive. A fine grazing country.. 
Lands from $1 to $5 per acre. 



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Min r s of gold, copper, &c, abundant. Limestone all over 
this region. 

Churches, 10; lawyers, 2; doctors 4; grist mills, 6; post 
offices 8. 

Webster is the county seat of Jackson. 

JOHNSTON. 

This county was formed out of Craven, 1746, and named 
after Gov. Johnston. 

Area, 670 square miles. 

Population, 15,600. 

Farms, 1,200; 110,000 acres improved; 225,000 acres unim- 
proved. 

Stock: horses, 2,225; mules, 600; cows, 4,550; other cattle, 
6,500; sheep, 8,500; hogs, 40,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 6,000 bushels; rye, 10,000 bushels; 
corn, 468,500 bushels; oats, 22,800, bushels; rice, 2,500 
pounds; tobacco, 15,000 pounds; cotton, 3,000 bales; wool, 
11,030 pounds; pease, 80,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 5,000 
bushels; sweet potatoes, 225,000 bushels; orchard products, 
$10,000; butter, 70,000 pounds; hay, 4,000 tons; honey, 
15,000 pounds. 

Churches, 23; academies 6; lawyers, 9; doctors 12; factory, 
cotton, 1 ; post offices, 6. 

Granite and iron are found at different places. It is well 
watered by Neuse and Little rivers, and a number of creeks. 

Original growth of timber: pine, oak, hickory, gum, elm, 
ash and black jack. 

A portion of the lands are sandy, but generally good and 
productive. Good cotton farms found in all parts of the 
county. 

The North Carolina Rail Road runs through the county. 

Land, in any quantity for sale very low. 

Smithfield is the county seat. It lies on Neuse river 26 
miles from Raleigh and about the same distance West from 
Goldsboro. 

JONES. 

This county was formed in 1779, from Craven, and lies in 
the Eastern part of the State. 

Area, 380 square miles. 

Population 5,750. 

Farms, 300; acres improved, 55,000; acres unimproved, 
125,000. Cash value, $1,000,000. 



(34) 

Stock: horses, 825; mules, 350; cows, 1,500; other cattle r 
3,000; sheep, 3,500; hogs, 1,600, 

Annual products: wheat, 1,500 bushels; oats, 2,600 bushels; 
corn, 250,000 bushels; cotton, 2,000 bales; wool, 7,000 pounds; 
pease, 25,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 4,000 bushels; sweet 
potatoes, 100,000 bushels; lumber, tar and turpentine ex- 
ported. 

Churches, 15; academies, 6; lawyers, 1; doctors, 5; grist 
and saw mills, 12; steam mills, 2; post offices, 4. 

It is watered by Trent river and a number of creeks. Trent 
river is navigable to Pollocksville. 

Native trees: cedar, juniper, cypress, oak and gum. 

Marl and muck in abundance. Lands cheap, and produce 
corn and cotton finely. 

Trenton is the county seat, 125 miles Southeast from 
Raleigh and about 20 miles fiom New Bern. 

LENOIR. 

This county was formed in 1791, out of Johnston and lies 
in the eastern part of the State. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population, 10,223. 

Farms, 500; acres improved, 112,000; acres unimproved, 
162,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,230; mules, 700; cows,. 1,500; other cattle, 
4,500; sheep, 3,500; hogs, 25,000. 

Annual products : wheat, 12,000 bushels; rye 2,500 bushel; 
corn, 240,000 bushels; oats, 2,000 bushels; rice, 15,000 pounds; 
cotton, 4,500 bales; wool, 6,000 pounds; peas 8,500 bushels; 
Irish potatoes, 7,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 90,000 bushels; 
butter 16,750 pounds; honey, 10,000 pounds. 

Churches, 15; academies, 6; lawyers, 6; doctors, 12; grist 
mills, 12; saw mills, 6; post offices, 5. 

The Atlantic Rail Road runs through this county. Steam- 
boats ply between Kinston and New Berne. 

This is a splendid county for cotton, corn and truck farm- 
ing. Soil good and very productive. 

A large quantity of valuable land is in the market at low 
prices. 

Natural forest: oak, pine, gum, ash and cypress. 

Kinston the county seat lies on Neuse River, 80 miles south 
east from Raleigh. Steamboats from New Berne, come fe here 
and the Atlantic Rail Road runs through this place. 



(35) 



LINCOLN. 

This county was formerly called Tyron, after Gov. Tyron, 
but whose oppressive administration was so obnoxious, that 
the General Assembly changed it to Lincoln in 1779. It lies 
in the south western part of the State. 

Area, 420 square miles. 

Population 10,100. 

Farms, 800; acres improved, 45,507 ; acres unimproved, 
140,000; cash value $1,380,500. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,100; cows, 1,800; other cattle, 
3,000; sheep, 5,100; hogs, 13,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 05,000 bushels; rye, 500 bushels; 
corn, 270,000 bushels; oats, 10,500 bushels; tobacco, 7,000 
pounds; cotton, 500 bales; wool, 8,000 pounds; pease, 7,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 0,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 23,000 
bushels; orchard products $11,000; butter, 75,000 pounds; 
hay, 3,000 tons; sorghum, 10,000 gallons; honey, 26,000 
pounds. 

There are 3 cotton factories; 7 iron foundries; 2 iron forges; 
30 grist mills; 2 paper mills; 10 saw mills; 10 tanneries; 
churches, 32; academies, 10; lawyers, 13; doctors, 15; minis- 
ters, 20; gold mines, 10; post offices 9. 

Catawba river runs through the county. It is rich in min- 
eral ores and is also a good farming county. 

Forest: ash, elm, white and red oak, chestnut, poplar, &c. 

Lincoln is the county seat, 170 miles south west, from Ral- 
eigh. The Ruthcrfordton Rail Road runs through this county 
and village. 

MACON. 

This county was formed in 1828, from Haywood, and lies in 
the extreme west. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Farms, 700: 32,600 acres improved; 305,000 acres unim- 
proved. Cash value, $900,000. 

Stock: horses* 1,500; mules, 600; cows, 1,800; other cattle, 
5,000, sheep, 5,100; hogs, 26,700. 

Annual products: wheat, 65,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; 
corn, 270,000 bushels; oats, 16,500 bushels; tobacco, 20,000 
pounds; wool, 8,000 pounds; pease, 10,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 6,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 25,000 bushels; orchard 
products, 12,000; butter, 75,000 pounds; hay, 3,000 tons; sor- 
ghum, 10,000 gallons; honey, 26,000 pounds; home manufac- 
tures, $18,500. 



(36) 

Churches, 30; academies, 4; lawyers, 4; doctors, 5; ministers, 
18; post offices, 4. 

The surface is broken and mountainous. Soil, ordinary to 
good. Fine grazing region. 

The Western Rail Road will run through this county. 

Forests: oa,k, sugar maple, locust and white and black pine. 

The beautiful red marble mountain is here. 

In this county, thousands of sheep, cattle, horses and mules 
could be raised at a small cost. Three hundred thousand 
acres of mountain and farming lands in the market from 70 
cents to five dollars per acre. Copper ore all over the county. 

It is capable of supporting a population of fifty thousand. 

Franklin is the county seat, 325 miles from Raleigh. 

MADISON. 

This county was formed in 1850, from Buncombe and 
Yancey, named after President Madison. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population, 6,000. 

Acres improved, 32,500; acres unimproved 174,000. Cash 
value, $750,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,200; mules, 200; sheep, 5,100; cows, 2,100; 
other cattle, 3,000; hogs, 15,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 32,500 bushels; rye, 3,000 bushels; 
corn, 235,500 bushels; oats, 30,000 bushels; tobacco, 16,000 
pounds; wool, 10,000 pounds; pease, 5,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 15,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 3,000 bushels; orchard 
products, $12,000; butter, 58,000 pounds; flax, 5,000 pounds; 
sorghum, 25,000 gallons; honey, 20,000 pounds; home manu- 
factures, $30,000. 

Churches, 12; lawyers, 2; doctors, 4; ministers, 6; post offi- 
ces, 6; mills, 10. 

Original forests: pine, ash, elm, balsam, chestnut. 

This is a beautiful county. Surface rough and mountainous. 
Lands good. A splendid farming, fruit and grazing region. 
Lands cheap and abundant. It is spoken of as one of the 
finest counties in the future in the transmontane region, when 
Rail Roads penetrate it. 

Marshall is the county seat, about 260 miles west from 
Raleigh, on the east side of the French Broad. 



MARTIN. 

This county was organized in 1794, from Halifax, and 
named after Grov. Martin, the last of the Colonial Governors. 



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It lies on the Roanoke river. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population 10,119. 

Farms, 600 ; acres improved, 56,000; acres unimproved, 
178,500; cash value, $1,158,545. 

Stock: horses, 1,156; mules, 551; cows, 1,828; other cattle, 
5,000; sheep, 4,780; hogs, 21,241. 

Annual products: wheat, 2,500 bushels; corn, 320,000 bush- 
els; oats, 17,000 bushels; rice, 2,500 pounds; cotton, 3,500 
bales; wool. 8,000 pounds; pease, 35,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 7,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 100,000 bushels; orchard 
productions, $1,000; wine, 5,000 gallons; butter, 12,000 
pounds; beeswax, 2,500 pounds; honey, 1,700 pounds. 

Churches, 15; academies, 5; lawyers, 8; doctors, 7; mer- 
chants, 20; grist mills, 8; saw mills, 6; post offices, 4. 

Original growth of timber: pine, oak, hickory, cypress and 
juniper. 

This county is partly sandy. Soil good, low grounds very 
rich. The swamps are filled with vast quantities of juniper 
and cypress, fit for lumber. The Tarboro and Williamston 
Rail Road will pass through this county. There are rich beds 
of marl of the best kind for improving lands. 

Cotton, corn, and the grape are cultivated largely. 

Williamston is the county seat, on the Roanoke river, 140 
miles East from Raleigh. A handsome town. 

Mcdowell. 

This county was formed in 1842 from Rutherford and 
Burke. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population, 7,100. 

Farms, 600; acres improved, 28,878; acres unimproved, 
115,500. Cash value, $775,000. 

Stock: horses, 900; mules, 600; cows, 1,500; other cattle, 
3,000; sheep, 3,700; hogs 12,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 25,000 bushels; rye, 5,500 bushels; 
corn, 240,000 bushels; oats, 6,000 bushels; tobacco, 20,000 
pounds; wool, 8,000 pounds; pease, 7,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 9,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 14,000; butter, 30.000 
pounds; sorghum, 3,000 gallons; honey, 11,000 pounds. 

Churches, 20; lawyers, 3; doctors, 9; academies, 4; gold 
mines, 4; grist mills 10; post offices, 6. 

The Western Rail Road passes through this county. 

Original forests: white pine, ash, oak, chestnut, laurel, bal- 
sam, &c. 



(38) 

Catawba and Linville rivers, and a number of creeks water 
the county. 

Surface broken and mountainous. Much good farming 
land. A fine fruit and grazing region. 

Marion is the county seat, 200 miles from Raleigh. 

MECKLENBURG. 

"This county was formed in 1762 from Anson, and named in 
"honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg. 

Area, 720 square miles. 

Population, 17,500. 

Acres improved, 95,938; unimproved, 181,562; cash value, 
$2,823,949. 

Stock: horses, 2,829; mules, 1,500; cows, 4,319; other cattle 
'•6,500; sheep, 9,216; hogs, 23,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 160,000 bushels; rye, 1,299; corn, 
550,225 bushels; oats, 43,366 bushels; tobacco, 25,161 bushels; 
cotton, 6,112 bales; wool, 15,621 pounds; pease, 41,596 bush- 
els; Irish potatoes, 11,835 bushels; sweet potatoes, 26,716 
bushels; orchard products $5,000; butter, 129,269; hay, 2,553 
tons; sorghum, 13,283 gallons; beeswax, 1,429 pounds; honey, 
20,384 pounds. 

Churches, 35; ministers, 23; colleges, 3; academies 6; 
schools, primary 40; lawyers, 11; doctors, 25; 1 woolen fac- 
tory; factories of different kinds about 20; mines: gold and 
copper, 15; grist mills, 25; post offices, 10. 

Gold is found all over the county. 

Natural forest: ash, elm, oaks, pine, chestnut, &c. 

It is thought by scientific men that the mines in North Car- 
olina, are as valuable, as the mines in California. 

The soil produces wheat, corn, apples, pears, peaches, hay, 
clover and garden vegetables in great profusion. 

The lands are well adapted to cotton and corn. 

Charlotte is the county seat of justice for Mecklenburg- 
county, it lies 155 miles southwest from Raleigh. It is a city 
of growing improvement. It was here, the first Declaration 
of American Independence was read, on the 20th of May, 
1775. 

MITCHELL. 

This county has recently been formed out of Yancey, Mc- 
Dowell, Burke and Watauga, and named after the late Rev. 
Dr. Mitchell of Chapel Hill. 

Being a new county, its statistics have not been ascertained. 

Its lands are good. Surface broken and mountainous. 



(39) 

Wheat, corn, rye, oats, Irish potatoes, buckwheat, cabbages 
and fruits, especially apples, grow well. It is particularly 
adapted to stock raising and grazing. 

Much of it is in original forests, of ash, poplar, chestnut, 
white pine, balsam, oak, &c. 

Iron and copper ores have been found and are believed to 
exist in large quantities. 

In the Northeastern part of the county, limestone, blue and 
white marble of fine texture are said to exist. 

The lands are very cheap and abundant. The resources of 
the county are yet to be developed. 

Bakersville is the county seat. 

MONTGOMERY. 

This county was taken from Anson in 1779. 

Area, 5'0 square miles. 

Population, 7,640. 

Acres improved, 56,178 acres; unimproved, 204,513. Cash 
value, $359,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 66,772 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; 
<;orn, 281,658 bushels; oats, 35,246 bushels; tobacco, 25,000 
pounds; cotton, 1,500 bales; pease, 11,000; Irish potatoes, 
8,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 35,000 bushels; orchard pro- 
duction $7,500; butter 80,000 pounds; hay, 1,729 tons; sor- 
ghum, 3,000 gallons; honey, 25,000 pounds. 

Stock: horses, 1,354; mules, 250; cows, 2,259; other cattle, 
5,000; sheep, 7,500; hogs, 14,000. 

Churches, 20; ministers, 15; doctors, 6; lawyers, 4; acade- 
mies 6, besides primary schools; grist mills, 28; saw mills, 4; 
cotton factories, 2; several tanneries; gold mines, 9, others 
opening; post offices, 10. 

Forests: white oak, red oak, post oak, hickory, persimmon, 
ash, poplar, &c. 

The minerals of this county are very valuable. 

Its water power is very great, suitable for machinery of all 
kinds. 

Lands adapted to cotton, corn, potatoes, &c. Can be 
bought low. 

Troy is the county seat, about 90 miles Southwest from 
Raleigh. 

MOORE. 

This county was organized in 1784, from Cumberland. 
Area, 650 square miles. 
Population 11,475. 



(40) 

Acres improved, 65,165; acres unimproved, 345,148; cash 
value, $1,178,311. 

Stock: horses, 2,160; mules, 300; cows, 3,589; other cattle, 
6,500; sheep, 12,866; hogs, 25,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 75,000 bushels; rye, 5,000 bushels; 
corn, 281,650 bushels; oats, 35,500 bushels; wool, 17,500 
pounds; pease, 25,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 2,500 bushels; 
sweet potatoes, 77,000 bushels: orchard products, $10,000; 
butter, 115,000 pounds; hay, 500 tons; turpentine, &c. 

Churches, 30; ministers, 18; doctors, 12; lawyers, 2, acad- 
emies, 6, and primary schools in the county; grist mills, 20. 

Mines: two gold mines and one soap stone mine have been 
worked; post offices, 7. 

Original growth of timber: long leaf pine, red oak, black 
jack, hickory, poplar, &c. 

The lands range from poor to good. Cotton, corn, sweet 
potatoes and pease grow well, and the grape may be raised 
extensively. It is well timbered with long leaf pine, but is 
rather inaccessible to market. Land can be bought very low.. 

The Fayetteville, (Coalfields) Eail Road passes through the 
Northern part of this county. 

Carthage, the county seat, is 60 miles from Raleigh. 

NASH. 

This county was formed out of Edgecombe in 1777, and 
named after General Francis Nash, who fell at the battle of 
G-ermanton. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 11,688. 

Acres improved, 81,100; acres unimproved, 205,000. Cash 
value, $1,736,608. 

Stock: horses, 1,116; mules, 500; cows, 2,199; other cattle, 
3,536; oxen, 1,145; sheep, 5,439; hogs, 25,874. 

Annual products: wheat, 12,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; 
corn, 335,000 bushels; oats, 20,500 bushels; tobacco, 100,000 
pounds; cotton, 3,000 bales; wool, 7,000 pounds; pease, 30,000 
hushels; Irish potatoes, 8,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 115,800 
bushels; orchard products, $15,000; butter, 23,885 pounds; 
beeswax, 1,500 pounds; honey, 15,671 pounds. 

Churches, 22; schools, 6; mines, 1; post offices, 4. 

Native forests: oak, ashe, pine, gum, &c. 

Its soil is sandy, but productive. Cotton, corn, potatoes, 
&c, grow finely. Marl and muck are easily obtained. Fruits 
grow well. The county has been famous for apple and peach 
brandy. Lands are cheap. 

Nashville is the county seat, and about 44 miles from 
Raleigh. 



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NEW HANOVER. 

This county was organized in 1728, named after the Royal 
House of Hanover. 

Area, 1000 square miles. 

Surface level. Soil sandy, but productive. 

Population 25,000. 

Farms, 650; acres, improved, 52,925; acres, unimproved, 
395,624; cash value, $1,381,687. 

Stock: horses 1,151; mules, 439; cows, 3,435; other cattle, 
9,000; sheep, 5,758; hogs, 30,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 9,630 bushels; rye, 1,500 bushels; 
corn, 250,000 bushels; oats, 1,000 bushels; rice, 1,500,000 
pounds; wool, 7,000 pounds; pease, 82,000 bushels; Irish pota- 
toes, 5,500 bushels; sweet potatoes, 175,000 bushels; pea nuts, 
100,000 bushels; lumber, $50,000; turpentine, 10,000 barrels; 
spirits of turpentine, 20,000 barrels; tar, fish, &c. 

Mills, Factories, &c: 6 saw mills; 4 planing mills; 15 tur- 
pentine distilleries; 30 tar factories ; 2 ship yards. 

Churches, 20; ministers, 12; academies, 8; lawyers, 10; 
doctors, 15; grist mills, 8. 

Forests: principally long leaf pine, some oak, hickory and 
live oak. 

The lands are well adapted to truck farming. The pea-nut 
is more extensively cultivated than in any county in the State 
and is very profitable. Cotton and corn do well, and the rice 
lands are productive. 

Wilmington the largest city of the State, is also the county 
seat ot New Hanover. It is constantly growing in commer- 
cial importance. Large exports of cotton, turpentine and 
lumber are annually made from this city. 

NORTHAMPTON. 

This county was formed in 1741, and was taken from Bertie. 

Area, 350 square miles. 

Population, 13,500. 

127,775 acres improved; 170,292 acres unimproved. Cash 
value, $2,639,030. 

Stock: horses, 1,882; mules 1,950; cows, 2,933; other cattle, 
6,000; sheep, 3,000; hogs, 32,800. 

Annual products: wheat, 30,000 bushels; rye, 1.000 bushels; 
corn, 635,000 bushels; oats, 25,000 bushels; tobacco, 300,000 
pounds; cotton, 6,500 bales; wool, 7,500 pounds; pease 54,500 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 10,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 110,- 
000 bushels; orchard products $5,000; butter 110,000 pounds; 
honey, 6,000 pounds. 



(42) 

Churches, 10; schools, 10; lawyers, 5; doctors 12; hotels, 
2; mills, 0; post offices, 6; 6 stave factories; 1 shingle mill. 

Original growth of timber: ash, oak, cypress, pine, &c. 

The surface is level, the soil productive, and accessible to 
market. 

It is well adapted to corn, cotton, truck farming and the 
cultivation of the grape. 

Jackson is the county seat, and located in the midst of a 
rich farming country. 

OJS T SLOW. 

This county was organized 1754, from New Hanover. It 
lies in the eastern part of the State. 

Area, 600 square miles. 

Population, 8,856. 

Acres improved, 65,000; acres unimproved, 250,000. Cash 
value, $1,337,923. 

Annual products: wheat, 500 bushels; rye, 5,000 bushels; 
€orn, 275,000 bushels; oats, 3,000 bushels; rice, 50,000 pounds; 
wool, 7,500 pounds; pease, 85,500 bushels ; Irish potatoes, 6,500 
bushels; sweet potatoes, 175,500 bushels; butter, 20,000 
pounds; beeswax, 5,000 pounds; honey, 50,000 pounds; cotton, 
500,000 pounds; turpentine, $10,000; Lumber, $5,000. 

Stock: horses, 1,000; mules, 500; cows, 2,619; other cattle. 
6,500; sheep, 4,000; hogs, 25,600 

Churches, 22; academies, 5; lawyers, 2; doctors, 12; post 
offices, 7. 

Forests: long leaf pine, oak, gum and cypress. 

Lands productive and well adapted to cotton and corn, and 
the cultivation of the grape. Pine and cypress lumber 
valuable. 

Jacksonville is the county seat, 120 miles South-east from 
Raleigh. 

ORANGE. 

This county was organized in 1751, from Granville, John- 
ston and Bladen, and named in compliment to the Roya 
House of England. It lies in the centre of the State. 

Area, 650 square miles. 

Population, 16,429. 

Farms, 1,230; acres, improved, 101,354; acres unimproved, 
246,040; cash value, $2,141,690. 

Stock: horses, 3,199; mules, 350; cows, 4,081; other cattle, 
5,999; sheep, 11,314; hogs, 27,444. 

Annual products: wheat, 154,794 bushels; rye, 2,527 bushels; 



(43) 

corn, 400,242 bushels; oats, 81,825 bushels; tobacco, 1,139,- 
764 pounds; wool, 15,004 pounds; pease, 8,506 bushels; Irish 
potatoes, 12,754 bushels; sweet potatoes, 46,716 bushels; 
orchard products, $5,000; butter, 105,884 pounds; hay, 1,500 
tons; flax, 5,000 pounds; bees wax, 2,i>00 pounds; honey, 
20,000 pounds. 

Original growth of timber: white oak, red oak, post oak, 
cedar, hickory, walnut, elm, oak, poplar, tulip tree, gum, per- 
simmon, blackjack, &c. 

The soil is principally of red clay, adapted to wheat, corn, 
tobacco, oats and fruits. It is well watered, healthy, and a 
good farming country. 

Hillsboro, the county seat, was laid out in 1759. 

It has a large Female school of high reputation, and two 
Academies. 

At Chapel Hill, the State University is located. 

Durham, on the North Carolina Rail Road is a thriving 
village. 

PASQUOTANK. 

This county was known in 1729, as one of the original pre- 
cints of ancient Albemarle. It derives its name from an 
Indian tribe. It lies in the Northeastern part of the State. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population, 8,940 

Farms 600; acres improved, 53,062; unimproved, 40,200; 
cash value $2,000,000. 

Stock: horses. 1,100; mules, 554; cows, 1,500; other cattle, 
4,000; sheep, 1,515; hogs, 15,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 75,001 bushels; rye, 40,000 bushels; 
corn, 600,000 bushels; oats, 6,000 bushels; wool, 7,000 pounds: 
peas, 12,700 bushels; Irish potatoes. 3,750 bushels; sweet 
potatoes, 35,000 bushels; butter 22,500 pounds; flax, 10,000 
pounds; honey, 10,000 pounds. 

Churches, 17; schools, 12; teachers, 23; 3 steam mills that 
manufacture flour, corn, lumber, &c; 2 post offices. 

Original growth: gum, ash, cypress, &c. 

The soil mostly a deep and very rich alluvial soil. Very 
productive and almost inexhaustible. Corn, wheat and flax 
are produced in great quantities, without manure. Lands 
high, though lower than formerly. 

The lands in some parts of the county have been cultivated 
in corn for one hundred years in succession, and without ma- 
nure, yet they produce now from 30 to 40 bushels of corn per 
acre, with ordinary culture. 

Elizabeth City is the county seat, 215 miles from Raleigh. 



(44) 



PERQUIMANS. 

This county was the earliest permanent settlement in the 
State. Its name comes from an Indian tribe who were found 
here when the English landed. 

It lies in the North-eastern part of the State. 

The first settlement was made in 1662, after the expulsion 
of the Quakers from Virginia., who came over into North 
Carolina and settled here. The oldest land title in North 
Carolina is the grant of King Yeopim, an Indian Chief, to 
George Durant, who settled Durant's Neck, a promontory on 
Albemarle Sound. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population 7,248. 

Farms, 550; acres improved, 52,182; acres unimproved, 67,- 
852; cash value, $1,537,970. 

Stock: horses, 1,791; mules, 650; cows, 1,635; other cattle, 
4,500; sheep, 2,743; hogs, 16,413. 

Annual products: wheat, 99,834 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; 
corn, 605,000 bushels; oats, 4,500; wool, 9,500 pounds; pease, 
13,500 bushels; Irish potatoes, 6,100 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
75,000 bushels; orchard products, $2,500; butter, 25,000 
pounds; hay, 2,000 tons; flax, 6,500 pounds; beeswax, 1,225 
pounds; honey, 20,000 pounds. 

Churches 15; lawyers, 5; doctors, 9; grist mills, 4; steam 
mills, 5; post offices, 6. 

Original forests: oak, gum, cypress, &c. Lumber valuable. 

The lands are of the first quality for wheat, clover, corn and 
grapes. Large fisheries of shad, rock and herring are located 
on the sound and rivers. 

Hertford is the county seat, situated on Perquimans river, 
194 miles from Ealeigh. 

PERSON. 

This county was formed in 1791, out of Caswell, and is 
located in the northern part of the State. 

Area. 370 square miles. 

Population, 11,500. 

Farms, 700: acres improved, 101,756; acres unimproved, 
118,662. Cash value, $2,000,000. 

Stock: horses, 2,034; mules, 300; cows, 2,500; other cattle, 
4,000; sheep, 8,155; hogs, 16,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 85,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; 
corn, 265,500 bushels; oats, 110,000 bushels; tobacco, 3,000,000 
pounds; cotton, 500 bales; wool, 10,000 pounds; pease, 4,000 
bushels; Irish potatoes, 6,500 bushels; sweet potatoes^ 35,000 



(45) 

bushels; orchard products, $2,500; butter, 75,000 pounds; flax, 
2.000 pounds; beeswax, 2,000 pounds; honey, 20,000 pounds; 
home manufactures, $1,850. 

Churches, 30; academies, 4; other schools, 6; ministers 
lawyers and doctors, grist mills numerous; post offices, 8; 
tobacco factories, 4; tanneries, 6. 

Natural growth: oak, poplar, ash, hickory, gum, elm, &c. 

Surface, rolling; soil, of good quality, especially on Hyco 
River, for tobacco, wheat, corn and fruits, especially apples, 
peaches, pears, &c. 

Its climate is healthy and water pure. Some farms well 
improved. 

Roxborough is the county seat, and lies in a high healthy 
location. 

PITT. 

This county was organized out of Beaufort in 1760. Called 
after Sir William Pitt of England. 

Surface level. Soil sandy and rich loam. Large quantities 
of marl are found in nearly every part of the county. 

Area, 650 square miles. 

Population, 16,000. 

Farms, 830; 101,164 acres improved; 250,000 acres unim- 
proved. 

Natural growth of timber: red and post oak, long leaf pine 
&c. 

Stock: horses 2,000; mules, 1,100; cows 3,500; other cat- 
tle, 8,000; sheep, 5,000; hogs, 38,600. 

Annual products: wheat, 12,700 bushels; rye, 6,000 bushels- 
corn, 710,000 bushels; oats,17,250 bushels; rice, 55,000 pounds- 
cotton, 7,500 bales; wool, 7,374 pounds; pease, 74,000 bushels- 
Irish potatoes, 11,750 bushels; sweet potatoes, 186,000 bushels; 
orchard products, $6,500; wine, 2,500 gallons; butter, 35,000 
pounds; hay, 4,617 tons; honey, 4,000 pounds. 

Churches, 25; academies 6; and several primary schools in 
the county; 10 lawyers; 12 doctors; 15 ministers; 12 grist 
mills; 4 saw mills. 

Its exports are lumber, tar, turpentine, crude and distilled, 
corn and cotton. 

Steamboats ply between Greenville and Washington. 

The soil in this county is generally rich and productive. 
There are also fine forests of pine for lumber. Soil suitable 
for growth of grapes, corn, cotton and pease. 

Greenville is the county seat, it lies on Tar river 100 
miles east from Raleigh. 



(46) 
POLK. 

This is one of the new counties organized out of Rutherford 
county in 1854, and named after James K. Polk, late Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

It lies in the Western part of the State, is well watered. 
Surface mountainous. 

Area 300 square miles. 

On the creeks and rivers are large bodies of good land 
easily cultivated, producing good crops of Indian corn, wheat, 
oats, rye, tobacco, sugar cane, buckwheat and some cotton. 

No Rail Roads yet in operation. 

The mountain ranges are equal to any for stock raising and 
growth of trees and fruit. 

Mines: Pender's gold mine, it is said, some several hun- 
dred thousand dollars worth of gold have been taken. 

Large quantities of gold lie on the borders of Pacolet and 
its tributaries. Double Branch, Red Spring, Prince and other 
mines, said to be rich, both in deposit and surface veins. 
South Fork and White Creek afford a splendid prospect for 
gold. 

It is well timbered with oak, hickory, ash, &c, and rock of 
all kinds for building purposes. 

There is a belt of land on the South side of Tryon and 
white oak mountains, that has several farms and orchards, 
where frost has never been known. Peaches of the finest kind 
and apples and grapes are cultivated. 

Clover, grasses, hay, &c , can be grown abundantly. Lands 
sell from 75 cents to $3 per acre. 

Columbus is the county seat. . 

Population about 4,000. 

Farms, 320; acres improved, 20,500; acres unimproved, 
71,000. 

Products: corn, 350,000 bushels; wheat, 25,000 bushels; 
oats, 19,000 bushels; rye, 2,500 bushels; cotton, 80,000 pounds; 
wool, 1,500 pounds; tobacco, 1.650 pounds; butter, 8,000 
pounds. 

Wild animals: racoon, opossum, squirrels, foxes, plentv of 
fish. " 

Fruit: unknown quantities. 

Original growth of timber: white pine, sugar maple, walnut, 
oaks, &c. 

EANDOLPH 

This county was organized in 1779, from Guilford and 
Rowan. It lies in the centre of the State. 



(47) 

Area, 880 square miles. 

Population, 16,500. 

Farms, 1,112; acres improved, 191,480; unimproved, 288,- 
995. 

The natural growth of the forest is white and red oak T 
hickory, elm and ash. 

Stock: horses, 3,877; mules, 300; cows, 5,490; other 
cattle, 7,500; sheep, 18,137; hogs, 32,066. 

Annual products: wheat, 227,654 bushels; rye, 1,663 bush- 
els! corn, 400,000 bushels; oats, 60,000 bushels'; rice, 5,000 
pounds; tobacco, 85,000 pounds; wool, 27,000 pounds; pease, 
8,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 21,250 bushels; sweet potatoes, 
50,000 bushels; orchard products, $31,118; butter, 140,000 
pounds; cheese, 3,000 pounds; hay, 5,788 tons; flax, 5,000 
pounds; maple molasses. 5,000 gallons; sorghum molasses, 
2,000 gallons; beeswax, 6,000 pounds; honey, 75,000 pounds. 

Churches, 40; academies, 12; ministers, 25; teachers, 15; 
lawyers, 6; doctors, 25; post offices, 18; grist mills, 26; 3 
steam mills; 5 cotton factories; 1 woolen factory; 1 steam 
tannery ; 1 foundry and extensive beds of slate underlies a 
lare;e part of this county. 

The soil is generally poor but productive in some sections. 
Land very cheap. 

The lands are adapted to wheat, cotton, corn and fruits of 
all kinds. The Western (Fayetteville) Rail Road will proba- 
bly pass through this county. Trinity college is located in 
the Northern part of this county. 

Gold is found in different parts of the county. Several 
mines have been opened. 

Ashboro the county seat, is 72 miles West from Raleigh. 

KICHMOND. 

This county was formed in 1779, from Anson, named in 
honor of the Duke of Richmond. It lies in the southern part 
of the State. 

Area, 900 square miles. 

Population, 11,000. 

Farms, 525; acres improved, 82,500; acres unimproved, 
352,242. 

Forest growth: oak, long leaf pine, ash, <fcc. 

Stock: horses, 1,500; mules, 800; cows, 2,600; other cattle, 
6,500 ; sheep, 4,500 ; hogs, 20,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 32,500 bushels; rye, 3,000 bushels; 
corn, 265,000 bushels; oats, 25,000; rice, 5,000 pounds; cotton, 
6,000 bales; wool, 8,500 pounds; pease 47,000 bushels; Irish 
potatoes, 7,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 75,000 bushels; orchard 



(48) 

products, $9,500; butter, 4(5,000 pounds; sorghum molasses, 
2,000 gallons; honey, 10,000 pounds. 

Churches, 20; schools, 4; academy and several primary 
schools; ministers, 15; teachers, 10; lawyers, 4; doctors, 6; 
grist mills, 5; cotton factories, 2; post offices, 10. 

The Wilmington and Rutherford Rail Road runs through 
the county. 

The Fayetteville and Albemarle Plank Road runs through 
the north part of the county. 

Surface undulating. Soil good. Lands cheap. They pro- 
duce cotton, corn and pease, abundantly. It is a fine grape 
growing region, as are all the eastern and south-eastern coun- 
ties of the State. 

Rockingham is the county seat, situated about the centre of 
the county. 

KOBESON. 

This county was organized in 1786 from Bladen, it lies in 
the Southern part of the State. 

Area, 900 square miles. 

Population, 15,500. 

Farms, 1,250; acres improved, 106,150: acres unimproved, 
464,904. 

Natural forests: pine, oak, hickory, ash, gum, poplar, &c. 

Surface level. Soil sandy and clay, interspersed with 
swamp lands rich. Cotton, corn, fruits and the grape grow 
finely. Lands are cheap. 

Stock: horses, 2,275; mules. 900; cows, 4,000; other cattle, 
8,696; sheep, 10,580; hogs, 40,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 12,500 bushels; rye, 5,000 bushels; 
corn, 350,000 bushels; oats, 10,000 bushels; rice, 50,000 pounds; 
cotton, 3,500 bales; wool, 18,000 pounds; pease, 45,000 bush- 
els; Irish potatoes, 5,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 145,000 
bushels; orchard products, $2,000; butter, 36,500 pounds; hay, 
2,500 tons; beeswax, 1,250 pounds; honey, 15,000 pounds; 
turpentine, 600 barrels. 

Factories, &c: 1 woolen factory; 4 saw mills; 7 tar and 
turpentine manufactories; 4 turpentine distilleries. 

Churches, 20; ministers, 10; lawyers, 7; doctors, 15; 1 
female college and 6 academies, besides primary schools; post 
offices, 16. 

This county possess great advantages in its soil, climate and 
natural facilities, which when combined with rail road trans- 
portation, make it very desirable to the settler. 

The Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherfordton Rail Road 



(49) 

runs through the heart of this county. A plank road runs to 
Fayetteville. 

Lumberton is the county seat, 90 miles southeast from 
Raleigh. 

ROCKINGHAM. 

This county was organized in 1785 from Guilford, named 
in honor of the Marquis of Rockingham. It lies in the North 
western part of the State. 

Surface broken and hilly. 

Soil, some parts sandy, but a large part of it red clay. It 
produces wheat, corn, oats, buckwheat, rye, tobacco and fruits. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Population, 16,500. 

Farms, 800: acres improved, 111,950; unimproved, 190,500. 

Natural growth of timber: ash, red, white and post oak, 
poplar, gum, hickory, &c. 

Stock: horses, 1,859; mules, 650; cows, 2,877; other cattle, 
4,000: sheep, 6,250; hogs, 16,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 100,000 bushels; rye, 3,500 bush- 
els; corn, 365,000 bushels; oats, 95,000 bushels; tobacco, 
3,500,000 pounds; wool, 10,000 pounds; peas, 5,000 bushels; 
Irish potatoes, 15,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 30,000 bushels; 
cotton, 30,000 pounds; orchard products: $5,000; wine, 1,000 
gallons; butter, 88,500 pounds; hay, 500 tons; flax, 3,000 
pounds; beeswax, 5,000; honey, 61,500 pounds; 40 tons of 
iron. 

Factories, &c: 1 cotton; 1 woolen; 25 tobacco; 5 saw mills; 
15 grist mills; 2 foundries; 2 wool carding machines; 6 tan- 
neries. 

Churches, 20; ministers, 10; academies, 6; teachers, 10; 
lawyers, 15; doctors, 10; post offices, 15. 

The lands are good, productive and pleasant. Very healthy 
and a desirable region. Much land can be bought on good 
terms. 

The Greensboro and Danville Rail Road runs through this 
county and other Rail Roads are contemplated. 

Iron, lime, and coal (bituminous) are found in this county. 

Wentworth, the county seat, is 105 miles Northwest from 
Raleigh. 

ROWAN. 

This county was organised in 1753, from Anson. 
Area, 600 square miles. 
Population, 14,000. 

4 



(50) 

Farms, 1,250; acres improved, 105,000; acres unimproved, 
150,000. 

Annual products: corn, 550,000 bushels; wheat, 95,000 
bushels; oats, 150,000 bushels; potatoes, 35,000 bushels; pease r 
10,000 bushels; butter, 110,000 pounds; hay, 10,000 tons; cot- 
ton, 5,000 bales. 

Stock: horses, and mules, 5,000; cattle, 9,500; sheep, 7,000; 
hogs, 30,000. 

Natural growth of forests : walnut, chestnut, oak, hickory, 
ash, &c. 

Water courses: Yadkin River, Dutch, Third, Fourth and 
other creeks. 

It has churches, ministers, lawyers, doctors, and teachers of 
high grade. 

Surface generally level ; soil naturally rich and productive. 
It produces cotton, wheat, oats and fruits in abundance. Gold 
and copper are found in this county, and some of its mines 
have been worked to great profit. Lands are low and in 
market. 

The North Carolina Central Rail Road runs through this 
county. 

The great Western North Carolina Extension Rail Road 
runs from Salisbury to the mountains. 

Salisbury is the county seat, a place of considerable trade. 
Population about 4,000. It is 118 mile's from Raleigh. 

RUTHERFORD. 

A county lying in the south west part of the State, organ- 
ized in 1779 out of Tyron, now extinct. 

Area 870 square miles. . 

Population 13,550. 

Farms, 1000; acres improved, 70,500 ; acres unimproved, 
225,000. 

Annual products: corn, 500,000 bushels; wheat, 30,500 
bushels; oats, 85,000 bushels; potatoes, 65,220 bushels; pease, 
10,330 bushels; butter, 95,500 pounds; hay, 5,000 tons; rice, 
5,000 pounds; tobacco, 10,500 pounds; wool, 15,300 pounds; 
beeswax and honey, 15,000 pounds; 500 bales of cotton. 

Stock: horses and mules, 2,700; cattle, 13,000; sheep, 10,- 
338; hogs, 40,000. 

Natural forest: ash, elm, oak, chestnut, sugar maple, &c. 

Water courses: Broad river and its tributaries run through 
this county. 

Churches 46; several schools of different grades. Mills, 
&c, 25 grist mills; 7 saw mills; 10 tanneries. 

Surface, broken; part mountainous. 



(51) 

Soil good, capable of being made highly productive. Lands 
are abundant and cheap, from $1 to $10. Lying as this county 
does along the base of the mountains makes its climate plea- 
sant and healthy. 

The Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Rail Road. 
passes through Rutherfordton, the county seat, which is about 
215 miles west from Raleigh. 

SAMPSON. 

This county was formed in 1784, from Duplin county. It 
lies in the Eastern part of the State. 

Area, 940 square miles. 

Population, 16,500. 

Farms, 1,000; acres improved, 112,000; unimproved, 365,- 
000. 

Annual products: corn, 450,000 bushels; wheat, 30,000 
bushels; oats, 70,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 265,000 bushels; 
pease, 10,000 bushels; butter, 105,000 pounds; hay, 5,500 tons: 
rice, 75,000 pounds; cotton, 2,500 bales; lumber, $20,000; 
turpentine, tar and pitch, about $150,000. 

Natural forest: long leaf and short leaf pine, juniper, oak, 
hickory, &c. 

Water courses: Black river, rises near the Northern boun- 
dary, and runs through the length of the county. 

Churches, 28 ; several schools, lawyers and doctors. 

Mills, &c: grist mills, 10; tar and turpentine manufactories, 
50; turpentine distilleries, 10; saw mills, 6. 

Surface level; soil part sandy and rich swamps. The soil 
is very good for cotton, corn, oats, grapes of different kinds. 
Its pine lumber is valuable. The best of the land is in its 
original growth. Lands are cheap. 

Clinton is the county seat, and about 95 miles South of 
Raleigh. 

STANLY. 

This county was organized in 1841, and taken from Mont- 
gomery county. 

Area, 280 square miles. 

Population, 8,000. 

Farms, 550; acres improved, 35.000; acres unimproved 
155,000. 

Annual products: corn, 225,000 bushels; wheat, 35,000 
bushels; oats, 30,000 bushels; potatoes, 25,000 bushels; pease 
5,500 bushels; butter, 30,500 pounds; hay, 1,500 tons; tobacco, 
5,000 pounds; wool, 6,500 pounds; honey, 15,000 pounds. 



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Stock: horses and mules, 1,700; cattle, 5,000; sheep, 4,500; 
hogs, 15,000. 

Natural forest: beach, elm, ash, oak, &c. 

Water courses: Yadkin and Rockingham Rivers, Long 
Creek and others. 

Gold is found in large quantities. Silver is also found in 
the county. 

Churches, 23; several schools, lawyers and doctors. There 
are 10 grist mills and 8 tanneries. 

This county presents great attraction for capitalists. Its 
water power for machinery is very great. Its mineral resour- 
ces are valuable. Lands adapted to cotton, wheat, corn and 
fruits. They are cheap. 

Albemarle is the county seat, about 140 miles from Raleigh. 

STOKES. 

This county was formed in 1789, out of Surry county, and 
lies on the Virginia line. 

Area, 550 square miles. 

Population, 10,500. 

Farms, 650; acres improved, 35,000; unimproved 150,000. 

Annual products: corn, 250,000 bushels; wheat, 20,000 
bushels; oats, 50,000 bushels; potatoes, 35,000 bushels; pease, 
5,000 bushels; butter, 31,000 pounds; hay, 2,000 tons; tobacco, 
75,000 pounds; wool, 25,000 pounds; honey, 25,500 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules, 1,225; sheep, 5,000; cattle, 6,000: 
hogs, 12,000. 

There are 6 iron forges; 15 grist mills; 4 saw mills; 10 
tanneries; 15 tobacco factories. 

Churches, 30 ; several ministers, lawyers and doctors, acad- 
emies, schools and post offices. 

. Water courses: Dan river and its numerous branches run 
through different parts of the county. 

The surface is broken and mountainous. 

Soil fertile. 

There are valuable deposits of iron, lime and coal in this 
county. 

Rail Roads are projected to run through this county, which 
will help to develop its great natural resources. It has a 
healthy climate and much water power. Lands are cheap. 

D anbury, is the county seat, 110 miles from Raleigh. 

SUEEY. 

This county was organized in 1770, from Rowan county. It 
lies in the north western part of the State, on the Virginia 
line. 



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Area, 900 square miles. 

Population, 10,50'J. 

Farms, 1,500: acres improved, 105,000; acres unimproved, 
305,000. 

Annual products: corn, 155,000 bushels; wheat, 10,000 
bushels; oats, 2,000 bushels; Irish Potatoes, 25,000 bushels; 
pease, 12,500 bushels; butter, 12,000 pounds; flax, 35,000 
pounds; tobacco, 45,000 pounds; honey, 35,000 pounds. 

Stock: horses and mules. 3,200; cattle, 10,500; sheep 
12,000; hogs, 35,000. 

Natural forests: mountain ash, poplar, chestnut, oak and 
hickory. 

Churches, 30; 10 schools; 3 cotton factories; 10 iron forges; 
2 iron founderies; 10 grist mills; 12 distilleries. 

Water courses: Yadkin, Fishers and Ararat rivers and 
smaller creeks. 

This county is mountainous, but fertile along the valleys and 
water courses. Lands can be bought low. 

The celebrated Pilot mountain lies in the eastern part of 
the county. Iron ore is found in large quantities. 

Jefferson is the county seat, about 175 miles from Raleigh. 

TRANSYLVANIA. 

This county was organized in 1863, out of Henderson, 
Haywood and Jackson. 

It having been so recently organized, no official statistics 
have been published. It lies in the extreme South-western 
part of the State, in a beautitul mountain country, where corn, 
wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, sorghum and clover grow luxu- 
riantly. The finest apples are produced here in greatest per- 
fection, as in all this western region. It is a fine grazing 
county. 

Farms, 125: population, 4,000; churches, 22; ministers, 
10; schools, 6; lawyers, 2; doctors, 8; grist mills, 20; post 
offices, 7. 

It has vast resources in agricultural and mineral wealth to 
be yet developed by new settlers. Lands are cheap and 
abundant. The country rolling and healthy. 

Brevard is the county seat, about 220 miles from Raleigh. 

TY 7 RRELL. 

This county is one of the oldest counties in the State, 
having been settled in 1729. It was included in what is now 
Washington county. It lies in the extreme eastern part of the 
State. 



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Surface level; soil good, abounding in rich swamp lands. 

Area, 320 square miles. 

Population, 5,000. 

Farms, 300; acres improved, 21,500; acres unimproved, 
163,000. 

Natural growth of timber: juniper, pine, gum, oak, cypress. 

Stock: horses, 428; mules, 196; cows, 1,500; other cattle, 
3,500; sheep, 2,699; hogs, 8.500. 

Annual products: wheat, 12,500 bushels; rye, 10,000 bushels; 
corn, 300,000 bushels; oats, 567 bushels; rice, 11,500 pounds; 
wool, 4,500 pounds; pease, 12,500 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
4,300 bushels; sweet potatoes, 28,775 bushels; wine, 2,500 gal- 
lons; butter, 12,000 pounds; hay, 100 tons; flax, 4,000 pounds; 
beeswax, 2,500 pounds; honey, 25,000 pounds; fish, 5,000 bar- 
rels; lumber, shingles, staves, &c, $75,000. 

Mills: grist mills, 2; saw mills, 4; shingle mills, 21. 

Churches, 12; ministers, 4; lawyers, 1; doctors, 3; acade- 
mies, 1 ; post offices, 2. 

It is a splendid corn region and the scuppernong grape 
grows luxuriantly here. 

The farms around Lakes Phelp are equal in soil and pro- 
ductiveness to any in the State. 

The uncleared lands are rich and valuable for cypress 
lumber. 

Columbia is the county seat. 

UNION. 

This county was organized in 1842, from the Southeastern 
part of Mecklenburg. It lies in the Southern part of the 
State. 

Area, 350 square miles. 

Population, 11,500. 

Farms, 925; acres improved, 66,500; unimproved, 236,900. 

Natural growth of timber: ash, elm, beech, walnut, oak and 
pine. 

Stock: horses, 2,163; mules, 700; cows, 3,118; other stock, 
6,500; sheep, 11,641; hogs, 20,500. 

Annual products; wheat, 76,321 bushels; corn, 305,000 
bushels; oats, 26,000 bushels; tobacco, 5,000 pounds; cotton, 
4,500 bales; wool, 14,000 pounds; pease, 18,500 bushels; Irish 
potatoes, 7,500 bushels; sweet potatoes, 35,000 bushels; orchard 
products, $5,000; market vegetables, $6,500; butter, 85,476 
pounds; hay, 500 tons; maple molasses, 1,500 gallons; honey, 
32,000 pounds. 

Churches, 23; ministers, 10; academies, 2; primary schools, 



(55) 

4; teachers, 10; lawyers 2; doctors, 9; post offices, 10; grist 
mills, 20. 

Mines: 6 gold mines located in the Northwestern part of 
the countr. 

Water courses: Rocky river. Crooked, Richard's, Negro 
Head, Lane and Wraxhaw creeks. 

This county is rich in minerals, especially in gold. Solid 
lumps have been found, worth from $2,000 to $3,000, and there 
is but little doubt that the mines are very rich. 

The soil is very productive for grain of all kinds, and may 
be bought at low prices. 

This county was the birth place of Andrew Jackson, Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

Granite underlies a part of the surface, and extensive beds 
of slate are found in other parts. The whetstone is found near 
Monroe. 

Monroe is the county seat, 150 miles Southwest from 
Raleigh. 

WAKE. 

This county was organized in 1790, and named after Gov. 
Tyron's wife. It is beautifully located in the centre of the 
State. 

Area, 950 square miles. 

Population, 26,000. 

Farms, 1,500; acres improved, 185,000; unimproved, 368,- 
000; cash value of land, $3,500,000. 

Stock: horses, 4,000; mules, 1,235; cows, 5,639; other 
cattle, 11,000; sheep, 10,750; hogs, 50,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 80,000 bushels; corn, 750,000 
bushels; cotton, 5,000 bales; rice, 13,000 pounds; wool, 
14,000 pounds; pease, 50,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 15,- 
000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 250,000 bushels; orchard pro- 
ducts, $1,500; market vegetables, $10,000; butter 150,000 
pounds; hay, 10,000 tons; beeswax, 2,000 pounds; honey, 
40,000. 

Churches, 40; 1 male College at Wake Forest; academies, 
10, and primary schools; ministers, 70; teachers, 50; lawyers, 
25 ; doctors, 40. 

There is one paper mill, 1 foundry and machine shop, 1 
foundery and plow factory, 1 sash and planing factory, 10 
steam saw mills and 40 grist mills. 

Water courses: Neuse river runs through the county, Swift, 
^Walnut, Crabtree, New Light and Big lick creeks. 

The North Carolina Central Rail Road runs through the 



(56) 

county. The Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road also runs from 
Raleigh to Weldon. A Rail Road is in progress from Raleigh 
to be extended through the Coalfields in Chatham to Colum- 
bia, South Carolina. 

This county produces tobacco, corn, oats, cotton, sorghum, 
pease, potatoes, fruits and garden vegetables in great abun- 
dance. Lands -are cheap and it is a very desirable section for 
the emigrant. 

There is a large mine of plumbago within a few miles of 
Raleigh, that has been largely worked. Granite also abounds 
in various places. 

Raleigh is the capital of the State and seat of justice for 
Wake county. It is a growing city and a desirable and healthy 
place. The public institutions of the State are located here: 
the Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and the Blind, the Lunatic 
Asylum and the Penitentiary. 

WAKREJST. 

This county was organized in 1779, from an old county 
(Bute) now extinct. It lies in the northern part of the State- 
and borders upon Yirginia. 

Area, 480 square miles. 

Population, 13,765. 

Farms, 600; acres improved, 122,000; acres unimproved, 
225,500. 

Natural growth of timber: oak, hickory, walnut, ash, elm, 
cedar, gum, &c. 

Stock: horses, 3,964; mules, 900; cows, 3,500; other cattle r 
6,500; sheep, 7,500; hogs, 25,000. 

Annual Products: wheat, 125,000 bushels; corn, 500,000 
bushels; oats, 98,000 bushels; tobacco, 6,150,000 pounds; 
cotton 500 bales; wool, 13,500 pounds; pease, 50,000 bushels; 
Irish potatoes, 15,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 66,500 bushels; 
butter, 65,842 pounds; hay, 3,500 tons; beeswax, 1,200 pounds;: 
honey, 15,000 pounds. 

There are 22 churches; 15 ministers; academies: 2 female 
and 4 others; teachers, 15; lawyers, 6; doctors, 15; merchants, 
25; post offices, 11. 

There are 21 grist mills; 4 saw mills; 3 distilleries; 6 tan- 
neries. 

It is watered by Roanoke River, Nutbush, Fishing and 
Shocco Creeks. 

This county is considered one of the best in the State. The 1 
people are intelligent and hospitable. Lands are fertile, rich 
and productive. 

It is intersected by the Raleigh and Gaston Rail Road. 



(57) 

Warrbnton, the county seat, 63 miles west from Raleigh, 
about 4 miles south from the Raleigh and Gaston Rail Road. 

Ridgeway is well located on the Raleigh and Gaston 
Rail Road, and quite a town is springing up here, with vine- 
yards, orchards and market gardens all around it. 

WASHINGTON. 

This county was organized in 1790, and named after Gen. 
George Washington. 

Surface, level; soil rich and productive. 

Area, 400 square miles. 

Population, 6,500. 

Farms, 500; acres improved, 25,000; acres unimproved, 
75,000. 

Natural growth of timber: oak, elm, pine, juniper, cedar, 
gum and cypress, 

Stock: horses, 675; mules, 250, cows, 1,500; other stock, 
3,000; sheep, 2,500; hogs, 10,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 35,750 bushels; oats, 2,000 bushels; 
corn, 250,000 bushels; rye, 1,000 bushels; rice, 10,000 pounds; 
wool, 5,000 pounds; pease, 20.000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
7,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 50,000 bushels; hay, 2,000 tons; 
20,000 barrels of tar and turpentine ; $30,000 worth of lumber; 
5,000 barrels of fish, besides grapes, wine, apples. &c. . 

There are churches, 15; ministers, 10; academies and schools, 
6; lawyers, 4; doctors, 6; teachers, 8; post offices, 4. 

There are 20 tar and turpentine manufactories, 3 grist mills, 
6 shingle mills, 1 ship yard. 

Water courses: Roanoke River and Welch Creek on the 
west, Albemarle Sound on the north. Scuppernong River and 
Lake Phelps on the east, and Lake Pungo on the south. 

This is one of the prettiest counties in the east. Lying on 
the Albemarle Sound. 

There is in this county, in its natural groAvth, lands that 
will, when brought into cultivation, be as rich and valuable as 
any in the State. Its land, lumber, fisheries and productions, 
with easy access to all parts of the United States give it pecu- 
liar advantages and attractions. 

Plymouth is the county seat, 162 miles east from Raleigh. 

WATAUGA. 

This county was organized in 1849, from Ashe, Caldwell r 
Wilkes and Yancey, deriving its name from an Indian river. 
It lies in the Northwestern part of the State. 

Surface, mountainous. 



(58) 

Soil, fertile. 

Area, 500 square miles. 

Population 5,000 

Farms, 500; acres improved, 25,000; unimproved, 145,000. 

Stock: horses, 850; mules, 155; cows, 1,607; other cattle, 
3,000; sheep, 6,000; hogs, 12,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 14,000 bushels; rye, 13,800 bush- 
els; corn, 110,000 bushels; oats, 40,500 bushels; rice 1,000 
pounds; tobacco, 10,000 pounds; cotton, 500 bales; wool, 12,- 
000 pounds; pease, 10,500 bushels; Irish potatoes, 20,000 
"bushels; sweet potatoes, 1,500 bushels; buckwheat, 10,000 
bushels; orchard produce, $12,565; market gardening, $13,- 
410; butter 75.000 pounds; cheese, 5,000 pounds; hay, 4,500 
tons; fiax, 25,000 pounds; maple sugar, 15,000 pounds; maple 
molasses, 6,000 gallons; beeswax, 1,500 pounds; honey, 20,- 
000 pounds. 

Churches, 12; ministers, 8; academies and primary schools, 
10; lawyers, 1; doctors, 3; grist mill, 10; post offices, 8. 

Natural growth of timber: sugar maple, elm, oak, ash, 
pine, &c. 

Water courses: New river, Watauga river, Elk, Cau, Neal, 
Camp and other creeks. 

This county lying off the line of travel and commerce, has 
not been able to develop its resources, like many others, but 
when its mines are worked, its lands cultivated, with its stock 
raising advantages, &c, and its mountain scenery, it will be 
very desirable. 

Good land from fifty cents per acre to five dollars are found 
in this county. 

Boone, the county seat, is 240 miles West from Raleigh. 
It was named after Daniel Boone, the celebrated hunter. 

WAYNE. 

This couuty was organized in 1779, from Dobb's county, 
now extinct. It lies in the Eastern part of the State. 

Surface level; soil excellent. 

Population 15,000. 

Area, 450 square miles. 

Acres improved, 109,000; unimproved, 200,000; cash value 
of land, $3,500,000. 

Stock: horses, 2,225; mules, 500; cows, 2,500; other cattle, 
4,500; sheep, 4,000; hogs, 40,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 16,650 bushels; rye, 20,000 bushels; 
*corn, 550,000 bushels; oats, 15,000 bushels; rice, 10,000 pounds, 
<cotton, 6,000 bales;" pease, 110,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
10,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 175,000 bushels; orchard pro- 



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ducts, $10,500; wine, 1,000 gallons; butter, 35,000 pounds; 
hay, 5,000 tons; honey, 15,000 pounds; turpentine, tar and 
lumber, $100,000. 

Churches, 25; ministers, 15; female colleges, 1; academies, 
4; primary schoolg, 10; lawyers, 7; doctors, 10;. post offices, 
10; sawmills, 6; grist mills, 8; tar and turpentine manufac- 
tories, 51 ; turpentine distilleries, 10 

Water courses: Neuse river, Little river, Nahunta, Falling 
and Sleepy Creeks. 

Native Forest: pine, oak, ash, gum, &c. 

The lands on Neuse river, Little river and their tributaries 
are very rich and productive. 

Corn, cotton, wheat, oats, sugar cane, fruits and vegetables 
are productive here abundantly. Its iacilities for traveling 
and exportation by water and Rail Roads are very good. It 
is, perhaps, second to Edgecombe as a cotton growing county, 
and is very desirable for truck farming and vineyards. 

The North Carolina Central Rail Road, the North Carolina 
Atlantic Rail Road, and the Wilmington & Weldon Rail 
Road all centre and cross the county at Goldsboro. Much 
good land for sale on easy terms. This is a first rate county 
for immigrants. 

Goldsboro is the county seat, a growing place. It is fifty 
miles East from Raleigh, eighty-four miles North from Wil- 
mington, seventy-eight miles South from Weldon, sixty miles 
from New Bern, and ninety-five miles from Morehead City. 

WILKES. 

This county was organized in 1777, from Surry, and named 
after John Wilkes, the English statesman. 

Wilkes county lies in the north-western part of the State. 

Area, 550 square miles. 

Population, 15,000. 

Farms, 1,125; acres improved, 75,000; acres unimproved, 
270,000. 

Natural growth of timber: white ash, sugar maple, beech, 
•oak, gum, &c. 

Stock: horses, 2,362; mules, 300; cows, 3,000; other cattle, 
5,000; sheep, 7,874; hogs, 25,000. 

Annual products: wheat, 55,560 bushels; rye, 12,000 bushels; 
corn, 310,000 bushels; oats, 36,566 bushels; tobacco, 100,000 
pounds; wool, 15,877 pounds; pease, 10,000 bushels; Irish 
potatoes, 15,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 27,000 bushels; 
orchard products, $30,000; wine, 500 gallons; butter, 85,000 
pounds; hay, 500 bales; cheese, 3,000 pounds; flax, 18,000 
pounds; flaxseed, 2,000 pounds; sorghum molasses, 5,500 gal* 



(60) 

Ions; beeswax, 36,000 pounds; honey, 75,000 pounds; home 
manufactures, $36,000. 

There are churches, 48 ; ministers, 20 ; academies and pri- 
mary schools, 12; teachers, 15; lawyers, 4; doctors, 10; post 
offices, 10. 

Factories: cotton factory, 1; linseed oil mill, 1; tanneries, 8; 
grist mills, 12. 

Water courses: Yadkin River and Reddie River, Moravian, 
Lewis Fork, Roaring, Mulberry, Bugaboo, Elkin and Cub 
Creeks. 

Mountains: it is nearly surrounded by the Ridge and spurs of 
the Blue Ridge. 

It is thought there are extensive beds of iron ore in the 
northern part of the county. 

Lands are very cheap and abundant. On the water courses 
the lands are very good. Corn, wheat, rye, oats, tobacco and 
fruits grow well here. There is an abundance of water power 
for manufactories. 

Wilkesboro' is the county seat, 172 miles north-west from 
Raleigh. 

WILSON. 

This county was organized in 1856, and named after Gen. 
Wilson of Edgecombe, who died at Yera Cruz in Mexico, 
during the war with Mexico. 

Area, 250 square miles. 

Population 9,750. 

Farms, ; acres improved, 65,000; acres unimproved, 

115,500. Cash value $1,500,000. 

Native forests : pine, oak, hickory, ash, &c. 

Stock: horses, 1,200; mules, 600; cows, 1,280; other cattle, 
3,000; sheep, 2,725; hogs, 20,591. 

Annual products: wheat, 5,000 bushels; rye, 12,000 bushels; 
corn, 230,000 bushels; oats, 4,500 bushels; cotton, 3,500 bales; 
wool, 5,000 pounds; pease, 5,000 bushels; Irish potatoes, 
8,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 75,000 bushels; orchard pro- 
ducts, $5,000; wine, 1,000 gallons; butter, 10,000 pounds; 
hay, 3,000 tons; honey, 10,000 pounds. 

Churches, 15; ministers, 10; 4 academies; 6 primary schools; 
teachers, 12; lawyers, 7; doctors, 10; post offices, 6. 

There are 8 grist mills; 4 steam saw mills; 25 tar and tur- 
pentine manufactories. 

Natural growth: pine, oak, gum, cypress, &c. 

This county contains much fine land. It produces well, 
cotton, corn wheat, oats, potatoes, pease, grapes, apples, 



(61) 

peaches and other fruits. It is well adapted to grape raising. 

Good land can be bought on good terms and fair prices. 

The Wilmington and Weldon Kail Road runs through this 
county. 

Wilson is the county seat, situated on the Wilmington 
and Weldon Rail Road, 48 miles east from Raleigh. 

YANCEY. 

This county was organized in 1833, from Buncombe. It 
lies on the North-western line of the State, and bounded on 
the West by the State of Tennessee. 

Surface generally mountainous. Soil productive. 

Area, 680 square miles. 

Population, 8,655. 

Farms, 970; acres improved, 46,000; acres unimproved, 
265,675. 

Natural growth of timber: black oak, white oak, red oak, 
chestnut oak, poplar, sugar maple, mountain birch, mahogany, 
walnut, cherry, locust, persimmon, balsam, pine and numerous 
others, of small growth. 

Stock: horses, 1,674; mules, 300; cows, 3,000; other cattle, 
4,507; sheep, 6.500; hogs, 25,500. 

Annual products: wheat, 40,000 bushels; rye, 6500 bushels; 
corn, 25,000 bushels; oats, 60,500 bushels; tobacco, 20,00§ 
pounds; wool, 15,000 pounds; sweet potatoes, 50,000 bushels. 

There are 20 ministers, 10 academies, 4 primary schools, 20 
teachers, 2 lawyers, 5 doctors, post offices, 13 grist mills, 
6 tanneries, &c. 

Mines: gold, copper, silver, iron, copperas and black lead 
are found in the mines of Fork Creek, South Yoe river, Egyot, 
Caney river and other parts of the county. 

The soil generally is highly productive and produces luxu- 
riant crops of tobacco, wheat, oats, buckwheat, butter, honey 
and fruit. 

Cattle can be raised in any quantity. 

Orchards can be made to any extent. Apples have been 
grown in this county weighing a pound and a-half. 

Its water courses are, Nalychucky river, Caney river and 
Yoe river, Pigeon and Cat tail creeks. 

Here is the range of the celebrated Black mountain, being 
the highest range of mountains in the United States, east of 
the Rocky mountains. The sides and tops are covered with 
the balsam tree, the highest peak is called Mitchells peak. 

Burnsville is the county seat, 240 miles north-west from 
Raleigh. 



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YADKIN. 

This county was organized in 1850, from the southern part 
of Surry, deriving its name from the Yadkin river. 

Area, 310 square miles. 

Population, 10,900. 

Acres improved, 62,000; acres unimproved, 138,000. Cash 
value, $1,125,000. 

Natural growth of timber: mountain ash, gum, chestnut, 
oak, &c. 

Stock: horses, 1,796; mules, 500; cows, 2,000; other cattle, 
3,000; sheep, 6,000; hogs, 16,225. - 

Annual products: wheat, 67,810 bushels; rye, 6,866 bushels; 
corn, 300,000 bushels; oats, 50,000 bushels; tobacco, 155,542 
pounds; wool, 10,000 pounds; Irish potatoes, 8,000 bushels; 
sweet potatoes, 20,000 bushels; orchard products $15,500; 
butter, 70,000 pounds; cheese, 3,250 pounds; hay, 1,500 tons; 
flax, 6,500 pounds; flax seed, 2,000 pounds; sorghum molasses, 
3,000 gallons; beeswax, 5,000 pounds; honey, 70,000 pounds. 

There are churches, 25; ministers, 15; academies, 4; pri- 
mary schools, 8; teachers, 15; lawyers, 3; doctors, 16; post 
offices,. 10. • » 

There are 15 grist mills; 3 saw mills, &c. 

Water courses: Yadkin river forms the north and east 
boundary of the county. Deep creek and Panther creek with 
their branches spread nearly all over the county. 

This a splendid county for settlers, good churches and 
schools, healthy climate, good farming land and can be pur- 
chased on good terms. 

Yadkinville the county seat, 130 miles north west from 
Raleigh. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



In order to obtain the latest and most reliable information, 
both general and specific, in regard to the agricultural, min- 
ing and manufacturing resources of North Carolina, the gen- 
eral character of its soils, climate, productiveness, and prices of 
lands, the North Carolina Land Company requested several 
intelligent and prominent gentlemen of the State to furnish 
that information. The following letters is the result of that 
request. 

The reader will find much valuable matter in these letters, 
from the most undoubted sources, and will find the labor of 
reading them both pleasant and instructive. 

The first letter we present, is a most valuable contribution 
from Hon. Wm. B. Rodman, an intelligent native and long 
resident of the State, an able lawyer and a practical farmer, 
and one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State. Mr. 
R. is a resident of Washington, Beaufort Co., but writes from 
this city while in attendance here upon official duties: 

Raleigh, April 2, 1869. 
To the North Carolina Land Comjxiny: 

Gentlemen : 

For the purposes of physical geography, the State of 
North Carolina may be divided by lines running nearly 
northeast and southwest, and somewhat parallel to each 
other, into four belts or sections. The first of these, is 
bounded by the ocean on the east, by the State of Virginia 
on the north and on the west by a line beginning on the 
line between Virginia and North Carolina north of the 
western border of Perquimans county, about 76 deg. 20 m. 
longitude west of Greenwich, and running thence in a south- 
eastern course to Wilmington on the Cap< Few river. This 
maybe called the swamp land section: it comprises the 
following counties: Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Per- 
quimans, Chowan, Washington, Tyrrell, Beaufort, Hyde, 



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Craven, Carteret, Jones, Onslow, New Hanover and Bruns- 
wick. 

The other sections may be briefly defined as follows: 

Second section, or cotton region : west of the former, and 
bounded on the west, beginning at the falls of the Roanoke 
at Weldon and running in a general southwestern direction 
to the western boundary of Richmond county. 

Third section, which may be called the central one, ex- 
tending from the western boundary of the second, to the 
foot of the mountains. 

Fourth section, which may be called the mountain one, 
to the western boundary of the State. 

The climate, soil and productions of these sections con- 
siderably differ. It is to the first of these sections alone, 
that this letter is devoted. 

Physical Geography of the Swamp Land BeH — The Banks. 

It will be seen from a map, that the extreme eastern limit 
of the State, consists of a narrow strip of land extending 
along the entire coast, and separating the ocean from the 
interior waters. This strip is sandy, varying in width from 
about one-fourth of a mile, to about five miles: in places it 
is entirely bare of vegetation being merely the beach of the 
ocean: in other places, especially in the neighborhood of 
Cape Hatteras, where it is widest, it is covered by live oaks, 
red cedars and the ordinary trees of the main land, and a 
shrub called yeopon, from which is made a tea much valued 
by some. This strip of land is called the Banks. It is broken 
only by four considerable inlets, Hatteras, Ocracoke, Beau- 
fort and at the mouth of the Cape Fear river. Through 
these, vessels from the sea enter the interior waters. The 
depth of water which can be carried into the interior through 
Hatteras or Ocracoke is eight feet, at Beaufort sixteen, at 
the mouth of the Cape Fear twelve. This strip of land is 
not suited to agriculture; the frequent winds prevent the 
cultivation of the grains or of any, but low growing vege- 
tables, but the soil is not in most places barren ; and the 
melons and sweet potatoes grown on the banks, are consid- 
ered to have more saccharine matter, than those of the inte- 
rior. It is pretty thickly populated, the people live by fishing 
and pilotage. A peculiar breed of ponies is raised on the 
marshes connected with the Banks. During the whole year 
they live on the grass of the salt marshes, and are never 
stabled or fed with grain. As this country is not inviting 
to emigration, we pass it over with this very brief description. 



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The Sounds. 

Commencing just south of the Virginia line, the water 
separating the Banks from the main land, is called Currituck 
sound. It varies in width from three to fifteen miles; the 
water is fresh or only brackish; it is nearly every where 
shallow, and abounds with small marshy islands. It abounds 
with fish, and during the winter is resorted to, by immense 
quantities of wild ducks, geese and swans, great numbers 
of which are annually killed by sportsmen and sold at high 
prices in the Northern cities. These fowls are also found 
numerously, but in less abundance, feeding along the shores 
of all the sounds and rivers. The marshes from their ad- 
vantages for shooting them, have a pecuniary value, which 
they would not otherwise have, and are sometimes rented 
out to amateurs and others at fancy prices. 

Albermarle sound is a large sheet of fresh or brackish 
water, from eight to thirty miles wide, into which flow the 
Roanoke, Chowan and other smaller rivers, that will be else- 
where described. Immense quantities of herrings, shad, 
bass and other fish are caught every spring on the shores 
of this sound and the rivers emptying into it, by long seines 
arjd in gill nets. 

Croatan sound connects Albemarle with Pamlico sound; 
this latter is always salt — it is about thirty miles wide from 
east to west and has from eight to ten feet of water. Core 
sound about three miles wide, and with a channel of five 
feet depth, connects Pamlico sound with .Beaufort inlet, at 
the town of Beaufort and Morehead city. 

The harbor at Beaufort is one of the best on the Atlantic: 
coast, south of Norfolk. Vessels drawing sixteen feet can 
enter at any time, and discharge their cargoes at the pier of 
the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company. It 
will in the future be the site of an important city. 



Rivers and Creeks. 

This whole country is well watered; there is no part of 
it more than ten miles from navigable water, and much the 
greater part is much nearer. The Chowan river is navi- 
gable by eight feet water into Virginia — a regular line of 
steamboats runs every other day up this and the Blackwater 
river, (one of its branches) and at Franklin connects with 
the Roanoke and Seaboard Railroad, running to Norfolk. 
Frequent steamboats also, ply from Hamilton which may 
be considered the head of navigation on the Roanoke river, 
and from the towns and landings lower down the river, 



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through two canals which coimect Albemarle sound with 
the Elizabeth river at Norfolk. Boats drawing six feet 
water navigate these canals. 

Tar river, (so called in its upper course, but called Pam- 
lico river in its course below Willow Point two miles above 
the town of Washington,) is the next considerable river 
south of the Roanoke. It is six miles wide at its mouth, and 
navigable by vessels drawing eight feet water, to the town 
of Washington thirty miles from its mouth; by boats draw- 
ing two feet, to Greenville twenty-five miles higher up, dur- 
ing the whole year; and to Tarboro, twenty-five miles above 
Greenville, for about nine months in the year. The climate 
and soil of the valley of the Tar river from its mouth to its 
source is the finest and most productive in the State. 

Going south we come to Neuse river, another noble 
stream, nine miles wide at its mouth, having the same depth 
of water as the Pamlico, up to New Berne about thirty miles 
from its mouth, and navigable by small steamers during the 
greater part of the year, some fifty miles higher up. 

The Cape Fear is also a noble stream, having twelve feet 
water to Wilmington thirty-two miles, and navigable by 
small steamers to Fayetteville about eighty miles higher up. 

The Mainland — Its Soil. • 

The section which we are now describing is alike in its 
main physical features throughout. The part immediately 
bordering on the sounds to the east, is but little elevated 
above mean tide, but there is a general, nearly uniform, 
ascent of from one to two feet per mile towards the north- 
west. This is not universally true : on the banks of the 
rivers bluffs of from twenty to thirty feet high are occasion- 
ally found, and the land is sometimes slightly rolling and 
broken. Between each of the rivers, there is an elevation 
parallel to their general course, but always being a good 
deal nearer the northern, than the southern stream: on a 
line from Washington to Plymouth this elevation is forty 
feet; between Washington and New Berne it is probably 
about twenty five or thirty feet. Probably six-tentns of the 
country consists of what are called swamp or poccosin lands. 
It is important to just ideas, that the meaning of the word 
" swamp," in this connection, should not be misunderstood. 
It does not mean, that the lands are at any time submerged 
by the tides or freshets: on the contrary, much of the 
swamp is higher than what is called the high land. In 
order to understand it, we may assume, as is the fact, that 
at a very recent period speaking geologically, the section 
we are describing, and also the section above it, as high up 



(G7) 

as the falls of the rivers, was a shallow sound of salt water, 
like those which now skirt the coast, the present surface 
exactly resembled the present bottoms of those sounds, 
where we find occasional sandy shoals or ridges thrown up 
by the currents, enclosing more or less completely, small or 
large spaces of water several feet deeper, in which the finer 
sediment brought down by the rivers settles, mixed with 
shells and other remains of fishes. The land was gradually 
elevated by a force acting from the northwest; the shoals 
being elevated above the water, but the deeper enclosed 
places continuing, probably for a long time, to form shallow 
lakes: these have gradually filled up, by the wash from the 
neighboring lands, and by the decay of the luxuriant vege- 
tation which they have produced for ages. These former 
lakes are the swamp lands; they have all an abundant ele- 
vation for drainage: and during much of the summer are 
dry. There are two reasons why the rain which falls on 
them, does not run off fast enough to admit of their culti- 
vation in their natural state. 1st. There is almost always a 
narrow strip of land, higher by two or three feet, than the 
contiguous edge of the swamp, lying between the lower 
portion of it, and the nearest water course; and the branches 
which are found intersecting this strip, have been so filled 
up by matter washed in, and by a profuse growth of trees, 
bushes and reeds, as to be inadequate to discharge the 
amount of water pressing towards them. 2nd. The whole 
surface is always covered with a dense growth of trees 
or shrubbery, through which the water can find its 
way but very slowly. It is necessary therefore, to 
enlarge and deepen these natural drains, before under- 
taking to clear the land for cultivation. 

These swamps now produce, in varying quantities, the most 
valuable timber trees ; cypress, white cedaror juniper, poplar, 
swamp pine and various kinds of oak, besides gums, maples, 
<fec, of less value. Some of these trees are of immense size: 
cypress and poplars are found over fivefeetin diameter at four 
feet above the ground. A single cypress will sometimes make 
shingles worth $100. The soil generally consists, for two 
or more feet, of sand and clay extremely comminuted, and 
of decayed vegetable matter in varying proportions; below 
this is very often found a bed of oyster or other shells, or 
possibly a blue sand of a foot or more thickness, and then 
a somewhat tenacious clay. When well drained, it is of 
great and enduring fertility, producing per acre from thirty 
to fifty bushels of Indian corn, or from 400 to 600 pounds 
ginned cotton, or from ten to twenty bushels of wheat, or 
other crops in like proportion. There are fields in Hyde 
county which have been cultivated 100 years without rest 



(68) 

or manure, and they may now be relied on for thirty-five 
bushels of corn per acre. 

The price of lands depends so much on circumstances, 
which are hardly ever the same in any two instan- 
ces, that it is difficult to give any scale which would 
be reliable by a stranger. In the county of Beaufort in 
1860, an ordinary piece of swamp land, not more than a 
mile from a water course, or from boat navigation, unim- 
proved in any way, would readily sell for from five to ten 
dollars per acre. With less advantages the prices would be 
less. The prices were about the same in other counties. 
At this time such land, when drained and in good condition 
for cultivation, is usually rented out at five dollars per acre, 
or for one-third of the corn, or one-fourth of the cotton crop. 

The high lands have already been partially described as 
forming ridges separating the swamps, and obstructing the 
discharge of their waters ; they vary in width, from a few 
yards to several miles, and in composition, from a light sand 
to a stiff clay. They also require drainage, but not as much 
as the swamps; they are generally, in their original state 
covered with beautiful groves of long leaf pine and occa- 
sional oaks. They were usually worth when unimproved 
about one-half as much as the swamps, the general situation 
being the same. They would produce with the same culti- 
vation rather less than one-half as much. Many persons, 
however, prefer them to the swamps for cotton, as when 
marled they produce a better staple, and the crops ripen 
earlier. 

In the counties of this section probably not over one-tenth 
of the land is cleared. 

Climate and Staiole Productions.. 

The section we have been describing lies between thirty- 
seven and thirty-four degrees of North latitude. Of course 
the summers are longer, and the winters milder in the south- 
ern than in the northern part. No where does the snow 
ever lie on the ground more than a few days; at Wilmington 
it is rarely seen. The climate is warmest in winter and 
coolest in summer, nearest the coast. At Hatteras the Pal- 
metto grows, which elsewhere is not found north of Charles- 
ton ; this is owing to the proximity of the gulf stream. 
North of Albemarle sound cotton is not much grown as a 
staple crop. South of that it, with Indian corn, is the main 
crop. This section and the one just West of it, is probably 
unsurpassed in the world as a cotton growing country. It 
is conceded that on the choice lands of Alabama, Louisiana, 
&e , larger crops can be sometimes made than it is possible 



(69) 

to make in North Carolina. But in those States there is an 
uncertainty and a liability to accidents, such as inundations, 
boll worm, army worm, &c, &c, which do not attach to 
this favored region ; and it is the opinion of many intelli- 
gent men who have planted in both sections, that on an 
average of ten years the crops of these sections of North 
Carolina would exceed those of the most fertile portions of 
the Southwest. 

Health. 

Like all countries with an alluvial soil, chills and fever are 
the most common forms of disease; bilious fever also occurs 
sometimes in August and September, but the country is in 
general eminently salubrious. Consumption, unless imported 
is entirely unknown. The longevity of this section is equal 
to that ot any in the United States. The census of I860 
shows the average mortality of the whole United States 
for that year to have been 127 in 10,000, and the average 
mortality of a tier of two counties next to the Atlantic, 
from Delaware to Florida inclusive, was 134 in 10,000. 
When it is - considered that in this were included the un- 
healthy coasts ot South Carolina and Florida, we must con- 
clude that the mortality of the North Carolina portion of 
this district, was less than the average. The mortality in 
Massachusetts was 176 in the 10,000. Contrary to what 
might perhaps have been expected, the swamp lands are the 
healthiest, and those immediately on the banks of the rivers, 
the least so. This may be accounted for by the more sudden 
changes of temperature arising from greater exposure to the 
ocean wands, rapid cooling and catching cold. 

Fruits. 

Every part of this section is well adapted to raising apples, 
pears, peaches, figs, pomegranates, quinces, blackberries and 
raspberries, and the swamp lands to cranberries and straw- 
berries. The Catawba, Isabella and other grapes grow well, 
but the peculiar and most valuable grape of this belt is the 
Scuppernong: it is about the size of a boy's marble, of a 
dark purple, or a transparent yellowish green color; it grows 
singly, not in bunches; ripens in August and Sejpt. It is 
propagated by layers, never pruned, runs on arbors, bears in 
three years from the planting, and in five years will cover a 
space of 100 square feet and bear over two bushels to the 
vine. All who are acquainted with its excellencies, esteem 
it above all others as a table grape, and by general consent 
it makes the best wine made in the United States. One 



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bushel of grapes will make from four to seven gallons of 
wine, which is worth four dollars per gallon. The manufac- 
ture of wine is assuming large proportions. The raising of 
vegetables to ship through Norfolk, to New York, is an 
established and profitable business. The seasons, it is com- 
puted, are about one week earlier for every half degree of 
latitude one goes South, but proximity to the sea, or a loca- 
tion on the south side of a wide water course, has much 
influence in this respect. 

Cattle. 

The climate is favorable to the raising of all domesticated 
animals. Horses and mules thrive. Cattle keep fat on the- 
native wild grasses for nine months in the year, and many 
never receive grain or hay or shelter, during the whole year. 
Hogs could keep fat all the year in the swamps on acorns 
and reed roots, but during the summer they are liable to be 
killed by bears. Sheep require an open country and atten- 
tion to protect the lambs from wild cats. 

Game. 

Deer and hares, abound; there are plenty of foxes for the- 
amusement of sportsmen. Quail and other birds are numer- 
ous. The finest fish are plentiful and cheap. 

Population. 

The numbers of the people will be given under the heads- 
of the several counties; the country will easily support 
twenty times its present numbers. The people are kind, 
honest, peaceable, and not very industrious or enterprising. 
In no country is there more disposition to welcome and assist 
all worthy immigrants, whether they come with or without 
means. Crimes of violence are extremely rare — the laws- 
are fairly administered. 

Internal Improvements. 

The State has done but little in the way of artificial im- 
provement for this part of its territory. The two canal* 
connecting Albemarle sound with Norfolk have been already 
spoken of. In 1840 the State cut two canals connecting 
Pungo lake and Alligator lake with Pungo river. Navigation 
is everywhere so convenient that railroads are not absolutely- 
needed for local purposes. It is probable, however that the- 
necessity of a speedier and more direct communication,. 



(71) 

between the thriving cities of Norfolk and the North, and 
Wilmington and the further South, will soon compel the 
construction of a railroad from Norfolk or Suffolk to Eden- 
ton, thence it will be connected by a line of steamboats with 
Plymouth, and from thence the road will run through Wash- 
ington and New Berne to Wilmington, thus shortening the 
communication between the Northern and Southern Atlantic 
cities by over 100 miles, and opening to a country, admirably 
adapted to the raising of fruits and vegetables, the markets 
of the great cities. 

Very Respectfully, 

WM. B. RODMAN. 



The following letter is from the pen of Rev. W. E. Pell, a 
well known clergyman and native of the State, and recently 
the able editor of the Sentinel, a leading newspaper, whose 
long and extensive acquaintance with almost every portion of 
the State, enables him to furnish an array of facts, which are 
of the highest interest to the emigrant. 

Raleigh, N. C. April 4, 1869. 

To the President and Directors of the North Carolina Land 
Company : 

Gentlemen: — Every philanthropist at all interested in the 
future welfare of the toiling millions of Europe and of our own 
Northern States, and every well-wisher to the real and perman- 
ent interests of North Carolina, must thank you for the intel- 
ligent, enterprising and well-directed efforts you are making, 
to induce emigrants from those crowded and over taxed sec- 
tions, to seek a home in the Old North State. 

For many years, when I have instituted a comparison 
between the cheap, productive lands of the South, and espe- 
cially of this State, their accessibility to market, their large 
returns to skilled and intelligent labor, their varied products 
and the superiority of our climate for health and enjoyment, 
to the high-priced lands of the Northwest, the enormous 
cost of transportation for the heavy products of that section, 
the short term allowed for labor in that cold bleak region, 
and the little prospect of acquiring in that section wealth 
or a competency for old age from the labors of the farm, 
I have been astonished at the steady and enormous increase 



(72) 

of population in those States, and the very small accessions 
from emigration to the population of the Southern States. 

Can this fact be explained upon any sound principle, con- 
ceding that the emigrants themselves know what they are 
about? I think not. I must conclude, therefore, that large 
bodies of emigrants to the North-west, both from the Northern 
and Eastern States and from Europe, are either ignorant of 
the superiority of the advantages we possess in the South, or 
that they are the dupes of designing men and their agents, 
who are largely interested in the sale of Western lands and in 
Eail Roads; or that while Northern men and Europeans alike 
declare their freedom from all prejudices against race or color, 
they are, nevertheless, the subjects of that very prejudice, 
which leads them to eschew all contact with the black race. 
If this latter reason has heretofore influenced their action, it 
ought not longer to exist, since the laws of these Southern 
States as well as the laws of the United States, have removed 
all grounds for this prejudice, by declaring that the negro is to 
all intents and purposes, the full brother and equal of the 
white man ! 

Believing that this rush of immigration to the far-west is 
the result of ignorance on the part of the emigrant, or the 
cupidity and deception of the land speculators, and Rail Road 
corporations, I readily comply with your request, to furnish 
you with the facts and reasons, which go to prove unmistaka- 
bly, that North Carolina is a better home for the emigrant, 
than the North-west. 

ADVANTAGE ARISING PROM OCCUPATION AND IMPROVEMENT. 

The region in the Northwest most inviting to the foreign 
emigrant or the Northern and Eastern settler, or to which 
their eyes are most earnestly directed by the Agents of the 
land speculators in New York and other places, is- chiefly a 
new country, from which the Indians have been recently ex- 
pelled and which is still the haunt of wild beasts, — open 
praries or wild forests, with but few civilized inhabitants. 
Here, nature in its wildest forms holds possession. The forests 
are unfelled, cultivation is yet in its infancy and only in patches; 
none but the rudest tenements, if any, for human dwellings 
exist; the lands unfenced, if opened, and every thing for shel- 
ter, for comfort and support must be begun. No churches, no 
schools, no forges, no machine shops, no mills, no physicians, 
no domestic animals, no laws but such as are improvised for 
the immediate wants of the settlement, to exert their controll- 
ing or conservative influence. Liie in fact must be begun 
afresh, in new and in many of its most trying forms. Or if 
they are directed to the untenanted lands of Indiana, Illinois. 



(73) 

Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri, here the 
immigrant finds a stirring population, too much in earnest to 
make money to be hospitable to the stranger, brim full of the 
idea of speculation or of reprisals upon the new settler, in the 
shape of high prices for lands, and every article he is obliged 
io purchase; while as yet the meagre supply of mills, stores, 
machines, schools, churches, &c, render them almost inacces- 
sible to the means and wants of the settler. 

In North Carolina the case is totally different. In the older 
portions of the State, lands, tenements, mills, stores, physi- 
cians, schools and churches are generally within the reach of 
almost any number of new settlers. Persons with slender 
means who come into the State to settle, are not advised to 
plunge into the extensive, uncultivated forests which abound 
more or less in all parts of the State, but especially in the 
western counties, or into the unreclaimed swamp lands of the 
East. The rapid increase of the negro population in the 
South during the existence of slavery, and the intense thirst 
for money-making among the whites, together with the remar- 
kable cheapness of the lands, seemed to render the annual 
clearing of new lands necessary. The consequence was that 
every large slave-owner cut down and opened a new farm 
every year, and as soon as the lands were a little worn, instead 
of improving them with manure, (a much cheaper and easier 
and a more sensible process than cutting down new lands) 
they Avere abandoned or turned out, to enable the planter to 
cultivate his fresher fields. 

What is the result? Why since the abolition of slavery 
and the reduction of the field labor of the South by one half, 
by the withdrawal of many strong laborers, and of the negro 
women, boys and girls, from the tillage of the soil, there are 
in North Carolina perhaps one half of the lands formerly 
tilled in the State, that are now uncultivated. Much of the 
lands regarded formerly as worn out, have grown up in pine, 
which now are easily cleared, and by rest have vastly im- 
proved. Many of these lands are capable of the highest im- 
provement and may be bought very low. Besides this there 
are thousands of acres of cleared land, with tenements of 
various kinds upon them, scattered from the sea-board to the 
mountains, but especially in the Eastern Counties, which in- 
vite the settler, at very low rates. These are in the midst of a 
peaceable, hospitable and law abiding people, surrounded with 
schools, churches, factories, stores, mechanic shops, physicians, 
mills and all the appurtenances of civilized life. How much 
better this, when things are equal, to the wild, unsettled, un- 
civilized condition of the Northwest to which immigration is 
now rushing? I do not over-state the case when I say, 
that there are this day, untenanted open lands enough in North. 



(74) 

Carolina, to settle comfortably by the 1st of January 1870, 
in time for the making of the next crop, 200,000 new settlers, 
cheaper and better adapted to the purposes of comfort, wealth 
and happiness, than the new, cold, inhospitable country to 
which new settlers are directed in the Northwest. 

But again, an examination of the statistics of the several 
counties of the State, will show, that not one-third of the lands 
of North Carolina to this day are opened — they remain in 
their native upland or swampy forests, covering much of the 
very best lands of the State, from which the wild beasts have 
been nearly expelled. Large portions of these lands lie in 
bodies of from five thousand to one hundred thousand acres, 
suited to the settlement of colonies 

ADVANTAGE IN VARIETY OF CROPS. 

It will be seen, that I present considerations intended 
especially to direct the movements of the emigrant who is or 
intends to be a cultivator of the soil; — a vocation far more 
independent, far more sure of success, far more promotive of 
quiet and happiness, and far better calculated to effect in us 
moral and religious improvement, than any other. North 
Carolina, however, is not behind any other State in the Union, 
in the advantages she offers to skilled mechanics, manufac- 
turers and miners. The raw material for the construction of 
all kinds of buildings, mechanism, machinery and for every 
species of manufacture and for mining, is found in North 
Carolina in the greatest profusion. But it is agriculture — 
the cultivation of the soil, as the great instrument for the 
development of the whole State, that we specially need. When 
our lands are put into the hands of strong, industrious and 
skillful farmers, then every other species of progress and 
improvement will speedily follow. 

In the North-west, though much of the lands are immensely 
rich and productive when brought into cultivation, yet the 
agriculturalist in that region experiences a great draw-back 
in the small variety of articles produced upon those lands. 
Wheat, Indian corn, (suited to stock-raising, but inferior for 
bread to the corn raised in this State,) oats, rye, barley, buck- 
wheat, beans, cabbage, Irish potatoes, hemp, apples and some 
other inferior fruits, the grasses and a few other articles, consti- 
tute the sum of the products of those States. Under skillful 
cultivation, these articles are raised in great abundance. 

But look at the great variety of products grown in North 
Carolina: Indian corn of the -best kind, cotton, tobacco, wheat 
of the finest quality, rice, pease, buckwheat, oats, barley, rye, 
flax, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, honey, hops, sorghum, sugar 
cane, and pea nuts, all which are and can be made in large 



(75) 

quantities for exportation. Every species of garden vegetable 
that can be named grow abundantly: cabbage, green peas r 
onions, beans, okra, beets of all kinds, turnips of every variety, 
carrots, parsnips, pepper, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, squashes, 
pumpkins, radishes, lettuce, spinach, &c, &c. Melons of all 
kinds, most delicious. Apples, pears, peaches, and plums of 
every variety, cherries, apricots, nectarines, pomegranates, 
quinces, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants, &c. 
Besides these, the cranberry grows spontaneously in several 
sections, and the black-berry, the dew-berry and whortleberry 
grow wild and in abundance. Wild game is not abundant 
except in the new settlements, but fish, one of the cheapest 
articles of food, are found here in great quantities. It is 
perfectly apparent, therefore to any one, that in no portion of 
the earth, are the means of living more abundant and within 
the reach of every one disposed to work than here. 

But the intelligent European or Northern farmer will be 
struck with the meagre product of the lands of North Carolina, 
in many of the articles above named, as exhibited by the sta- 
tistics, compared with the character of the soil and the large 
amount of cultivated lands and population given. I admit the 
force of this conclusion. Notwithstanding the boast we have 
made of the fertility and cheapness of our lands, I must 
confess with shame, that owing to the ignorance, the laziness, 
and the absence of skill and progress in agriculture in North 
Carolina, the statistics which have been made of our products, 
do not give the reader any intelligible idea of the capacity of 
our lands. The same amount of labor which has been employed, 
if it had been directed by scientific knowledge, by skillful 
hands and operated by an improved culture, carefully selected 
seeds and proper implements, might have doubled, trebled, if 
not quadrupled our products. But the labor employed has 
been usually of tile rudest and most unskilled kind, badly 
directed, by rude implements and by a culture, twenty -five or 
fifty years behind the age. I do not know that there are five 
thorough, well instructed planters in the State. Were these 
lands therefore, in the hands of thorough, highly cultivated 
farmers, the productions of the State would reach almost a 
fabulous amount. 

ADVANTAGE IN TRANSPORTATION. 

The heavy and unweildy products of the Northwest and 
their costly exportation, is a most serious obstacle in the way 
of success. Frequently before they reach the markets to 
which they must go, before they can be consumed, the cost of 
transportation is two or three times the cost of production. 
What avail therefore, is the immense productiveness of the 



(76) 

Northwestern lands, if the products when sold at home or in 
a distant market, can scarcely reach the cost of production ? 
To the planter of small means, this is often crushing to him, 
while the carrier of his products and the merchant who sells 
them, alone are made rich. In North Carolina it is far dif- 
ferent. The planter who is inaccessible to market for his 
heavy products, only seeks to make enough of them for home 
consumption, while the greater variety of products in this 
State, enables him to spend his strength upon lighter and more 
profitable marketable articles. But in the greater portion of 
this State, our navigable streams and Rail Roads, with cheap 
transportation, put our planters in constant competition with 
the planters of the Northwest in the production of heavy 
articles, while it gives them a monopoly in the production of 
our greater varieties and the lighter articles. 

ADVANTAGE OF CLIMATE. 

The foregoing observations based as they are upon irrefrag- 
able facts, are sufficient to satisfy the most incredulous, of the 
superiority of North Carolina over the Northwest to the new 
settler and emigrant. But in what I shall say on this head, I 
will demonstrate it, beyond cavil. 

In the cold, bleak, inhospitable climate of the Northwest, 
.almost the entire out-door labors of the farm must be attended 
to during the six or seven most pleasant months of the year. 
Frost, ice and snow render ditching, fencing or plowing, 
hazardous to health, if not impossible. In North Carolina 
ditching and draining can usually be performed during all the 
months but two, and even during these, this labor is interfered 
with more from wet, than from cold. Fencing can be done 
:at all seasons, so can the collection of muck and other sub- 
stances for manure. Plowing can be done' at almost any sea- 
son, the cold and wet of winter interfering with this labor, 
but little less than the drought of summer. The labors of the 
farm either in or out of doors, are scarcely ever suspended, 
more than two or three days at a time. 

ipTm the Northwest, I learn, that they never think of a succes- 
sion of two or three crops of the same kind in a season. In 
North Carolina this is common. Red clover here may be 
mowed three times in a season, so of timothy and lucerne. 
Hay may be mowed twice. Corn or wheat or rye or any of 
the cereals, of cotton, or flax, cannot be produced twice in a 
year from the same land, but I have known a good crop of 
corn, or sweet potatoes or pease, grown from the same land 
after wheat or oats had been taken off. 

The different varieties of apples are produced and ripen in 
.all the months from May to November. So of peaches from 



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June to October. Strawberries can be produced every month 
but one or two. Irish potatoes may be seeded during winter and 
spring, so as to produce new crops from May to November. 
Sweet potatoes may be seeded from the last of April to July. 
Our sweet potatoe planters in the Eastern part of the State, 
commence eating them the last of August and continue, when 
they are well kept, until first of May. Onions may be seeded 
in September or later for next crop and may be used in May 
and June. The heat of July and August prevents the growth 
of onions; or rather when planted or sown, whether full grown 
or not, the heat and drought of July and August either stop 
their growth or ripen them. Onions, turnips, beets, parsnips, 
sown in September or October, may remain in the soil all 
winter; so of cabbage, kale and lettuce. 

Green peas, onions, Irish potatoes, radishes, beets, cabbage, 
&c, in the Eastern and middle sections of the State, as well as 
our fruits, are ready for market in Baltimore, Philadelphia or 
New York, a week earlier than in Virginia, two weeks earlier 
than in Maryland, three weeks earlier than in New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania. Our truck farmers are now supplying* 
those markets largely, transportation being very low, in the 
early season, and are doing well. Moreover, in this land of 
flowers, honey may be made in abundance, some bee-raisers 
taking honey from each swarm two or three times a year, leav- 
ing enough for the subsistence of this busy insect during 
winter. 

Hop-raising. — In every portion of North Carolina, hops may 
be raised in great profusion. The Eastern and middle lancls 
of the State are peculiarly adapted, both in climate and soil to 
the production of the hop in great perfection. It is almost 
perennial, the roots when once set, yield their annual fruit 
without replanting, at least, until age or sterility of soil render 
them unproductive. This is becoming a most important article 
of culture, and I judge no country is better adapted to the 
production of hops, than North Carolina. 

By proper management, fruits and vegetables ot different 
kinds may be so produced, as to give the planter through the 
entire year a sufficient supply. Our field productions may be 
increased beyond computation. There are other sources of 
employment, also, such as fishing, lumber getting, turpentine 
and tar making, mining, manufacturing, mechanism and trade. 
These open a field in North Carolina, which must at a future 
day furnish the means of subsistence, of comfort, and luxury, 
for millions of beings, hitherto not contemplated. 

With the means of living so abundant, so various, and so 
cheap, with a climate unsurpassed in salubrity and healthful- 
ness, with a native population inferior to none in the higher 
and better elements of manhood, and with facilities of the best 



( 78) 

kind for education and improvement, what country can be 
more desirable than this, for the Northern settler or foreign 
emigrant ? 

In the early days of the settlement of this State, a Swiss 
colony settled on Neuse and Trent rivers. Some of their 
descendants are still in that section. The Scotch peopled the 
Cape Fear Valley with an industrious and hardy population, 
and the Dutch and Germans peopled our Piedmont country. 
The descendants of all these are among our best population. 
Recently, Switzerland, has made the first contribution to our 
new emigration. I am assured upon good authority that both, 
the Swiss employees and their employers, are highly pleased — 
the Swiss with the country, their labors and their fare, and 
their employers consider them superior to any laborers they 
have had. I hope they will be soon followed by others, and 
that Scotland, Holland and Germany, as well as England, 
Northern Italy and others, and our own Northern and Eastern 
States, will second the movement. 

Wishing you the success in your enterprise which your 
efforts and aims richly merit, I subscribe myself, 

Very respectfully, yours, 

WM. E. PELL. 



The following able letter is from the pen of Hon. Thos. L. 
Clingman, late a United States Senator from North Carolina, 
a gentleman of large observation and experience upon the 
subject upon which he writes, and one whose name is a house- 
hold word in Western North Carolina: 

Raleigh, N. C, April 7, 1869. 

To the North Carolina Land Company: 

In compliance with your request, I proceed to give you a 
concise statement in relation to the western part of our 
State. As I understand that you will be furnished with 
articles, by several gentlemen, describing other sections, I 
will confine my remarks to the western portion exclusively, 
viz : that elevated table land extending from the Blue Ridge 
to the Tennessee State line. Almost, all of it was embraced 
in the Congressional District which I represented for more 
than a dozen years, and even after I became a Senator, I was 
frequently passing over it. In fact, I have ascended almost 
all the principal mountains, and, for the purpose of observ- 



(79) 

ing the geological and mineralogical features, visited most 
of its valleys. Its length, extending as it does, from Virginia 
to Georgia, is not less than two hundred and fifty miles, 
while its breadth vai'iesfrom thirty to sixty miles, averaging 
probably fifty or thereabouts. 

It has along its eastern border the Blue Ridge, by which 
name in North Carolina, is designated the mountain chain 
that divides the waters falling into the Atlantic from those 
of the Mississippi valley. Its western boundary is the great 
ledge of mountains called in different portions of its course 
Smoky, Iron, Uncha, &c. Though this range is cut through 
by the streams running to the west, yet it not only has many 
points higher than any along the Blue Ridge, but its general 
elevation and mass are greater. There are also a number 
of cross chains of mountains, the most elevated of which 
are the Black and Balsam ranges. There are many points 
exceeding six thousand feet in altitude above the sea, while 
the lower valleys or beds of the principal streams in the 
central parts of the plateau, are from two thousand to twenty- 
five hundred feet above tide water. To give one an idea of 
the general elevation of the surface, it may be stated that 
nineteen twentieths of the land will be found between the 
elevations of eighteen hundred and thirty-five hundred feet 
above the ocean. It presents, therefore, a delightful sum- 
mer climate, surpassing, I think, that of any part of Switz- 
erland. The range of the thermometer in summer is from 
twelve to fifteen degrees (Fahrenheit), below that of the 
northern cities, rarely going up to eighty-five degrees in the 
shade at any hour of the warmest days. The air is almost 
always bracing and exhilerating in a high degree, while no 
country is more healthy, being not only free from all mias- 
matic diseases, but favorable even in winter. Having a 
southern latitude and surrounded on all sides by lower and 
warmer regions, its winter climate is much milder than that 
of Northern Virginia or Pennsylvania. It is unusual for 
the ground to be covered with snow for as much as a week 
at a time, and the deepest snows commonly disappear in 
two or three days on all those portions of the ground exposed 
to the sunshine. 

In many instances persons threatened with consumption 
have found the climate of Buncombe, about Asheville, both 
in winter and summer very favorable to them. A gentle- 
man who has passed several winters both at Asheville and 
in Minnesota, says that the climate of the former place is 
quite as dry as that of the latter and much milder. 

The geological formation belongs chiefly to the older series 
of rocks, and they are generally well disintegrated. There 
is one remarkable exception, however, in a belt of country 



(80) 

extending from the Grandfather mountain southerly, em- 
bracing the Linville and Table mountain ridges. This con- 
sists mainly of strata of a more recent origin, quartzite, 
elastic sandstone, (the ltacolumite or diamond bearing rock 
of Brazil) and certain slates. The soil over this belt is 
thin, and covered chiefly with white pine, and such shrubs 
and plants as are found in poor silicious soils. Outside of 
this comparatively small tract, the soil of the mountain 
region is remarkable for its fertility. The gneiss, mica, 
slate, syenite and other hornblendic and ferruginous rocks 
are well decomposed and have liberated in great abundance 
fertilizing ingredients. While no part of the section would 
be termed rocky in comparison with the New England 
States, yet there is more rock visible on the eastern border 
of the belt than on the side next to the State of Tennessee. 
In general the disintegration seems deeper and the soil 
richer as one approaches the western border. The Yellow 
and Roan mountains in Mitchell, and the great Smoky moun- 
tain in Haywood, Jackson and Macon furnish striking exam- 
ples of this fact. On these mountains, at an elevation of 
six thousand feet, a horse will often sink to his fetlocks in a 
thick black vegetable mould, and the growth, whether 
timber, grass or weeds, appears to be as luxuriant as in the 
swamps of the low country. Even the balsam fir tree, which 
is usually of no great height, attains an altitude of one 
hundred and fifty feet on the southern side of the great 
Smoky, a mountain which from its bulk and general altitude, 
has been designated by Prof. Guyot as "the culminating 
point of the Alleghanies." The fact that the mountains 
usually become richer as one ascends them, is doubtless due 
to the circumstance that being often enveloped by clouds, 
and kept cool and moist, the vegetable matter slowly decays 
and is incorporated with the soil, as usually seen on the 
north or shady side of a hill. . 

There is no country of equal extent perhaps better tim- 
bered than this. Along some of the streams a good deal of 
white pine and hemlock are to be found, but the forests 
chiefly consist of hard wood. All the varieties of the oak 
are abundant and attain a great size. The white oaks in 
many places are especially large. So are the chesnut, hick- 
ory, maple, poplar, or tulip trees, black walnut, locust, and 
in fact probably every known tree that grows in the middle 
and northern States of the Union. There are a few treeless 
tracts on the tops of several of the higher mountains (cov- 
ered, however, with luxuriant grasses) which the aboriginal 
inhabitants regarded as the footprints of the evil one as he 
stepped from mountain to mountain. 

Among the most beautiful valleys are the upper French 



(81) 

Broad and Mills river valleys of Henderson and Transyl- 
vania. The Swannanoa in Buncombe, the Pigeon river. High- 
land and Jonathan's creek Hat lands in Haywood, and those 
of the Valley river and Hiwasse in Cherokee and portions 
of the upper Linville in Mitchell. 

• While all ot the counties contain large bodies ot fertile 
land, perhaps the soil of Yancy and Mitchell is most gen- 
erally rich, though the lands are more commonly hilly or 
rolling than they are in several of the other counties. For 
its valleys and its fertile mountains combined, none of the 
counties perhaps surpass Haywood. 

There are few of the lands of this whole region too steep for 
cultivation. They produce good crops of Indian corn, wheat, 
oatsandrye. In contests for prizes in agricultural fairsin Bun- 
combe, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty bushels of 
the former grain have been produced. The Irish potato 
and the turnip will probably do as well as in any country 
whatever, and no region surpasses it for grasses Timothy 
and orchard grass perhaps do best, but clover, red top, and 
blue grass thrive well. This region seems to surpass all 
others for the production of the apple both as to size and 
flavor. Peach trees do well and bear abundantly of fine 
sized fruit, but they rather resemble such as are grown in 
New Jersey for example, and are inferior in flavor to those 
that are produced east of the mountains in this State. The 
same may be said of melons. The grape is thrifty and 
grows abundantly. Besides the Catawba, a native of Bun- 
combe, there are many other native varieties some of which 
are of good size and delicious flavor. As these different 
kinds do not ripen simultaneously, it would be easy to make 
such selections for cultivation as to lengthen the period of 
the vintage and thus increase its product. 

All kinds of live stock can be raised with facility. Sheep 
in flocks of fifty or sixty browse all the winter in good con- 
dition. I never saw larger sheep anywhere than some I 
observed in the Hamburg valley of Jackson county, the 
owner of which told me that he had not for twelve years 
past fed his sheep beyond giving them salt to prevent their 
straying away. He said that he had on his first settling 
there, tried feeding them in the winter, but observed that 
this made them lazy, and therefore he had abandoned the 
practice. The sixty, I saw were quite as large as any of the 
sheep I observed once in Regent's Park, London, which 
were said to be the property of Prince Albert. 

Horses and horned cattle are usually driven out into the 

mountains about the first of April and are brought back in 

November. Within six weeks after they have thus been 

" put into the range " they become exceedingly fat and 

6 



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sleek There are, however, on the tops and along the sides 
of the higher mountains, evergreen or winter grasses on 
which horses and the horned cattle live well through the 
entire winter. Such animals are often foaled and reared 
there until fit for market, without ever seeing a cultivated 
plantation. 

Very little has yet been done with the minerals of this 
region. There are narrow belts oi limestone and marble 
which are sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants. Iron 
ores exist in great abundance in many places. The mag- 
netite is found in quantity at many points, and where it is 
being worked at Cranberry Forge in Mitchell, it yields an 
iron equal to the best Swede. , There is in Cherokee county 
a vein of hematite which runs by the side of a belt of 
marble for forty miles, and is in many places from fifty to 
one hundred feet thick. It is easily worked and affords a 
good iron. Copper ores are found in man}^ of the counties, 
and where the veins have been cut in Jackson county, they 
are large and very promising. Gold has been profitably 
mined in Cherokee, Macon and Jackson, and lead, silver and 
zinc are found at certain points. After the completion of 
the railroads now in process of construction, the chrome 
ores and barytes may acquire value. 

No country is better supplied with water power than this. 
The streams attain a sufficient size in the higher valleys, and 
before they escape into the State of Tennessee they have a 
descent of one thousand feet. The French Broad at Ashe- 
ville is larger than the Merrimac at Lowel, and falls six 
hundred feet in the distance of thirty odd miles, and will 
soon have a railroad along its banks. Every neighborhood 
has its waterialls sufficient lor all practical purposes. 

The prices of land throughout this entire section are very 
moderate compared with those of similar lands in the north- 
ern States, while the population though sparse is quiet, 
orderly and moral. The negroes, not constituting one-tenth 
of the entire population, are scarcely an appreciable element. 
Emigrants with little capital can easily obtain the necessaries 
of life, and may at once commence the business of stock 
raising, and cheese, butter and wool, and such agricultural 
productions as will best bear transportation. Manufacturing 
and mining operations will soon follow these branches of 
industry. I have no doubt, if the people of the Northern 
States knew this region as I do, they would move down in 
large bodies immediately to take possession of it. The 
pleasant climate, good soil and beautiful scenery make it 
one of the most attractive regions in the world. The wealthy 



(83) 

citizen will find the greatest inducements to place there 
his charming Villa, while to the industrious it will afford a 
comfortable home. 

Vei - y Respectfully, &c, 

T. L. CLINGMAN. 



For the following interesting letter, the Company are in- 
debted to Hon. Jonathan Worth, late Governor of North 
Carolina, a gentleman of unquestional integrity and intelli- 
gence, and an experienced lawyer and planter. 

Ealeigh, April 9th, 1869. 

To the North Carolina Land Company : 

In response to your invitation that I contribute something 
for your forthcoming publication, to present to immigrants 
authentic facts as to the resources of the State and the 
advantages she offers to those looking out for a settled 
home; I infer that other contributors will have gone fully 
into the subject, and I will therefore, confine my brief com- 
munication chiefly to the middle or hilly portion of the 
State, in which I have lived from childhood and with which 
I am most familiar. 

This State extends from the Atlantic, west of the Alleghany 
mountains, being about five hundred miles long and of the 
average width of about one hundred and twenty miles. For 
about one hundred and fifty miles west of the sea coast, the 
country is generally level. On the water courses and adja- 
cent to Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, the land is exceed- 
ingly fertile, the rest abounding in pitch, pine and sandy 
lands. Much of this section is underlaid with marl. The 
piney lands are peculiarly adapted to the Scuppernong 
grape vine and may be purchased at a low price — say from 
$1.00 to $2.00 per acre. It produces the most abundant 
yield of pea nuts, pease and sweet potatoes. Skillful agri- 
culture brings a rich reward to the farmer, and the fisheries 
and, forests give lucrative employment to many of the inhab- 
itants. This section has yielded more than 100,000 bales of 
cotton this year. Most of it is convenient to navigable 
waters. The products of the pine, lumber, tar and turpen- 
tine, constitute a large part of the exports of the State. 

The middle portion of the State, extending west from this 
belt some two hundred miles to the foot of the mountains, 



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is adapted to the growth of the cereals and tobacco. This-- 
whole region, as well as all the State lying west, to the Ten- 
nessee line, abounds in streams suitable for running mills or 
any other manufactories. In this middle region are many ex- 
cellent flouring mills, and factories for spinning and weaving 
cotton and wool and making roll and hammered bar iron:; 
there are many iron mines worked and many others not 
worked — the iron of excellent quality — also lime and coal, 
in abundance; but hitherto want of cheap transportation,, 
has prevented large operations in iron, coal and lime. In 
many of the counties in the middle part of the State, are- 
rich mines of gold, silver and copper. Some of these mines 
in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Kowan, Davidson, Randolph,, 
Guilford and other central counties, have been worked with 
great success. Copper ores also abound in many of these 
counties and also in Chatham. In the last mentioned county, 
I learn that a copper mine of extraordinary richness has 
very recently been opened and is now being worked. In 
Randolph two gold mines have recently been opened and 
much rich ores taken out. The proprietors are about put- 
ting up machinery and extricating the gold. Much of this- 
ore is, as I learn from a reliable source, extremely rich. In 
Randolph county there are five mills in full operation by a 
superior water power, spinning and weaving cotton. They 
employ many poor families, at renumerating wages, giving 
employment only to persons of good moral character. All 
of these middle counties produce in abundance, when well 
tilled, wheat, corn, rye, oats, tobacco and the best meadow 
grasses: and some of the more southern of them — Rich- 
mond, Montgomery, Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and 
some others produce much cotton. On most of this central 
part of the State are excellent orchards of peach, pear,, 
apple and other fruit trees. With a pleasant and healthy 
climate and cheap lands, this region is truly inviting to the 
immigrant. 

The western or mountainous division of the State, em- 
bracing about one third of its area, is probably equal to any 
in like extent of the earth's surface, for the growth of Irish 
potatoes, clover, oats, rye, blue grass, and other grasses sui- 
table for the making of hay, pasturage, the raising of stock 
and the productions of the dairy. It has iron ore in abun- 
dance, any amount of water power which can be made 
available for propelling machinery at trifling expense, mar- 
ble, copper ores, lime, &c. ; and owing to its bracing at- 
mosphere, pure cool water, and the abundance ot its pro- 
duction of articles of healthful subsistence, has a remarkably 
vigorous population, almost all of the Anglo Saxon race. In 
many of the counties of the eastern division of the State 



(85) 

negroes abound: in the middle counties are many negroes: 
in the western counties nearly the whole population is 
white. 

Want of navigable water courses and railroads has re- 
tarded the settlement of the western division of the State, 
in all other respects so attractive. We have a railroad from 
Morehead City on the Atlantic, via Newbern, Goldsboro, 
Raleigh, Salisbury and Charlotte, from which last place 
there is railroad communication with Charleston, Savannah 
•and the Mississippi. We have also a railroad from Wil- 
mington via Goldsboro to Weldon, whence there is railroad 
•communication to Petersburg and Portsmouth, in Va. — 
also a railroad from Greensboro' to Danville, Va. We have 
also a railroad from Raleigh to Weldon — and a branch of 
the North Carolina Road, completed from Salisbury to Mor- 
.ganton, and the necessary appropriations made and the 
work in progress for connecting this branch with the Ten- 
nessee Railroads. We have also a railroad from Wilming- 
ton to the South Carolina railroad connecting with Charles- 
ton — also the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Rail- 
road completed to Rockingham, and the further construction 
in progress with means provided, supposed to be adequate 
to its completion. We have also a railroad from Fayette- 
ville, the head of steam boat navigation on the Cape Fear 
river to the Coal Fields on Deep river, shortly to be extended 
to some point on the North Carolina Railroad. The Legis- 
lature has appropriated $500,000 to complete this extension. 
The State, by recent legislation, has provided for a large 
-expansion of our works of Internal Improvement. 

It may be asked why is a State, presenting such attrac- 
tions to the immigrant, so sparsely settled? I think the 
chief cause of the sparse settlement is, that prior to our 
impoverishment by the late war, and the emancipation of 
our slaves, not much of our good lands were in market, and 
no pains was taken to invite immigration. 

I believe there is no more Taw abiding people in 
America, than the population of North Carolina, and I 
believe every really brave man, who belonged to the United 
States army and faced our soldiers as foemen worthy of his 
steel, and who has settled among us since the war, to follow 
any other occupation save partizan politics, will say he has 
no occasion to complain of his reception, socially or other- 
wise. 

During my administration as Governor, beginning in 
December 1865, to the time of my removal in July 1868, 
not a single instance occurred in the State, so far as I 
know, where a Sheriff had to call on his posse, much 
Jess for military aid, to enable him to execute any process — 



(86) 

and I believe North Carolina, as to statistics of crime since 
the war, may safely challenge comparison with any State in 
the Union. 

We hope the time has come when worthy immigrants 
from Europe, or from any of the States lately waging war 
against us, will settle among us, bringing with them their 
capital, or their strong arms, to aid in developing our re- 
sources. All such may be assured of a cordial reception. 

JONATHAN WORTH. 



The following letter from the Hon. D. M. Barringer, late 
U. S. Minister to Spain, will be read with great interest. It 
presents very lucidly and ably the points touched upon. 

Ealeigh, N. C. April 10th, 1869. 

To the President and Directors of the North Carolina Land 
Company : 

Gentlemen :— The different parts of North Carolina are so 
dissimilar in climate, soil and geological organizations, that 
it is impossible, in a brief yet comprehensive manner, 
to describe its territory, productions and general topo- 
graphy. This want of uniformity, is, perhaps, more char- 
acteristic of this than of any other State in the Union. 
Amid the mountains of our Western border, some of whose 
peaks are the most elevated East of the "Rocky Moun- 
tains," one is continually reminded of the soil and climate 
of Switzerland and the Upper Rhine, except in the presence 
of perpetual snow in certain portions of the Alps. In the 
Eastern part of our State, we have a country which resem- 
bles Southern Italy in a remarkable degree, in most of its 
nitural characteristics, and with a soil very much like that 
of Holland. 

And, then again, there is a larger and more central section 
of the State, which may be compared, and, when more 
highly cultivated, will present a striking resemblance to 
large portions of Northern Italy and Southern France. 

It is this diversity in the physical appearance and condi- 
tion of North Carolina, which has given to the world and 
even to the people of the United States, such contradictory 
impressions of our soil, climate and productions, and marred. 



(87) 

even our school books with gross errors, and the most 
meagre and imperfect information. 

A traveller passing along the sea coast would imagine it 
a barren waste, almost uninhabitable, till informed that 
it abounded in the most valuable timber — in the best 
grasses, tigs and other fruits, and fish and oysters — and that 
the Delta of the Nile is not richer than portions of it can 
be made by proper drainage and cultivation. 

Another stranger going through the region of our long- 
leaf pine, before its agricultural capacities were so fully 
developed as at present, (and this, in the early period 
of our history, was the chief line of land-communication 
between the jNorth and the South,) would realize the im- 
pression obtained irom the stereotyped blunder of the 
geographies, even still extensively circulated and believed, 
that the "staple productions of North Carolina are tar, 
pitch, and turpentine, and a few naval stores." 

While another travelling only in the mountains, would 
suppose that, were it not for the stories he might hear of 
the wolf, the bear and other wild animals, North Carolina 
would be a great country for cattle and the dairy and for 
slieep-husbandry and the like. 

And yet another traveller through the middle and central 
portions of our State, in mid-summer would exclaim, what 
a fine country this could be made under an improved system 
of agriculture, for all the productions of the temperate zone, 
with wine and fruits of all kinds, minerals the most precious 
and various, and with water power sufficient to run all the 
factories in the United States ! 

The truth is, that such is the great diversity of our climate 
and soil — extending from 34 to '36$ North latitude and from 
the Atlantic to and beyond the Alleghanies, there is scarcely 
any thing grown from the earth, that could not be success- 
fully produeed within our borders under skilful culture and 
a good system of agriculture. 

.Being informed by your President that your Company 
has already been furnished with sketches of the Eastern 
and Western portions of the State, 1 will confine any addi- 
tional observations to a brief description of the resources 
and the geographical and climatic character of the great 
middle or central belt, lying between the alluvial and pine 
regions ol the East, and the base of the mountain ranges of 
the West, and extending from the line of Virginia on ihe 
North, in a South-westerly direction to that of South Caro- 
lina on the South. This portion of the State embraces some 
thirty-five counties, with an average, in size, of about 600 
square miles each, being altogether a little more than one- 
third of the entire State. 



(88) 

Physical Geography. The surface of this section is gen- 
erally undulating — with hill and valley and much first and 
second bottom-land, on the many streams which intersect it 
in all directions. It is some times called the " hill country" 
of the State, as contra-distinguished from the low lands of 
the East and the mountains of the West. There are but few 
^mountains in this part of the State, the principal of 
which are in Kandolph, Cleveland, Lincoln and the " Pilot " 
in Surry. The foundation or subsoil in the up-land, 
is generally clay, and the land, in general, is suscep- 
tible of the highest cultivation; and, perhaps, no soil in 
the United States exceeds, in natural fertility, the valleys 
'■of the Roanoke, the Taw or Tar, the Neuse, the Cape 
Fear, and especially those of the Yadkin and Catawba 
rivers, which traverse the beautiful Piedmont region of the 
vState. These rivers, flowing generally in a South-eas- 
tern and Southerly direction, with their many tributaries 
•extending even to the borders of Virginia, effect the drain- 
age of this important section of the State, and furnish every 
facility for the most extensive water power which mayever 
be needed by the densest population. These streams have, 
in general, a rapid flow in their upper courses, while in 
their lower waters,they are capable of steam boat and light- 
<©r,aft navigation to within short distances ot the Eastern and 
Southern borders of the section I am now attempting to 
■describe, while several of them are capable of slack-ioater 
.-navigation, within its actual limits 

Climate. This portion of the State is as healthy as any 
other of equal extent any ivhere, and there is no general cause 
of malaria. There is no need of acclimation, and people 
from any part of the world can reside here with as little 
danger from the climate as any where else in the same area 
of territory. 

Products. All the cereals for the support of man or 
beast, are produced in this part of North Carolina. Indian 
corn, oats, rye, barley, and especially wheat, of a very fine 
quality, are made in every locality. While in the more 
Northern counties, tobacco of a very superior quality is 
grown in large quantities; and in the Eastern and Southern 
counties, especially in the tier on the borders of South Car- 
olina, cotton is cultivated with much success and of excellent 
grade, with little danger from the causes which some times 
produce a failure of the crop in the more Southern States. 
Charlotte, Fayette ville, P,aleigh, Goldsboro' and Wilmington, 
are the market centres of a considerable and increasing 
trade in this great staple of the South. 

Cattle and stock of all kinds mav be raised in all-suffi- 



v 89) 

•cient quantities for a very dense population and much for 
export. 

Grasses, of various sorts, are grown to some extent, and 
this most important culture ma3 T be, and with our improving 
agriculture will be, indefinitely extended in all this region 
of the State. 

The Grape is indigenous in every county, and a great 
variety of this most valuable vine, is to be found in North 
Carolina. It is difficult, and not now necessary, to refer to 
them in detail. But there is one, a native and peculiar, 
originally, to this State and grows here better than in any 
other State, which ought, and will some day attract capital 
and skill in its manufacture of wine, to a degree not sur- 
passed, even, in the most celebrated wine districts of Europe. 
I refer to the famous " Scuppernong," in its several varieties. 
Though found, to some extent and yielding fruit in the 
more eastern and southern counties of the District I am 
describing, it is chiefly confined and of most luxuriant 
growth and yield in the eastern counties nearer the coast. 
It is a marvel in the history of the grape, and its size and 
rich and most abundant fruit, would astonish the vine- 
growers of Europe. It needs no pruning, like other vines, 
and wants only space and light and heat from the sun. The 
arbor from a single vine often covers a quarter of an 
acre of ground, and its age will reach beyond the memory 
of man. Its fruit contains all the elements of, as good a 
wine, as may be found any where in the world. All we 
want is a real knowledge of its intrinsic value and skill in 
its manufacture. 1 once heard that eminent chemist and 
analizer, Dr. Warren, of Boston, soy. in public, before the 
"American Association for the advancement of Science," 
that the time would come when the "Scuppernong" grape, 
Tinder proper management and skilful manipulation, would 
make as good a wine as the celebrated "Tokay" of Hun- 
gary, and very much like it. 

The manufacture of this grape into wine is yet in its in- 
fancy, and such is the fondness for it, as a beverage, or from 
some other cause, no one has ever yet, kept it long enough 
to furnish a true test of its value and ascertain the effects 
•of aye and other conditions upon its character and inherent 
qualities. 

Fine grapes may be successfully cultivated and good wine 
made, by proper care and skill, in almost any part of North 
Carolina. The late Dr. Emmons, our State Geologist, a man 
remarkable for his knowledge and science, as well as the 
truthfulness and modesty of his character, once gave me a 
sample of wine, made from the wild grape from the 
lower Cape Fear, which had the genuine characteristics of 



(90) 

a good Burgundy and very much resembled the famous 
" Valde-penas" of Spain. 

A residence of several years and extensive travel in 
Europe enable me to say that, in my opinion, the soil and 
climate of this State, are peculiarly adapted to the success- 
ful cultivation of the grape and the manufacture of wine. 
And what a blessing they would bring to the morals and 
happiness, besides adding untold millions to the material 
wealth, of our people ! What we chiefly want in this re- 
spect, is an exact knowledge of the identical vine suited to 
each locality, and then a concentration of our efforts in this 
direction to its special culture. 

The grape vine is wonderfully local in its attachments. 
All Europe has acted upon this truth — and it will be so 
here in process of time and experience, and when repeated 
failures shall have demonstrated its wisdom and the disas- 
trous fallacy ol a contrary course. We are trying to culti- 
vate too many varieties, and succeed thoroughly in none. 
The " Scuppernong" prospers in spite of our neglect, and 
almost defies our inattention and unskilfulness. 

The true and world-renowned " Xeres," or "sherry," as we 
call it, the " Sherrish-Filistin" of the Moors, and the " sher- 
ris" of our English "Falstaff," is only made from the grape 
which is exclusively grown in a small district in the South 
of Spain, not larger than one of our largest counties. And 
although millions of gallons of "sherry" so-called, as well as 
various other adulterated and false wines are made to order 
at "Cette" in France and many other parts of the world, not 
excepting our own young America, the genuine brand of 
the real "sherry" can only be obtained, originally, in the 
peculiar locality in Spain, where the gi'ape from which it is 
made, is specially grown under its best native influences; 
and the real article is manufactured in the most sMlfvl man- 
ner. So of the genuine "Madeira" and various wines of 
Germany and France. But excuse this divergence of an 
enthusiast, perhaps, in behalf of an interest which is destined 
to become one of the greatest value, in many respects, to the 
^ hole Southern portion of the United States, and especially 
to the State of North Carolina. 

Other Fruits. In this portion of the State, fruits of all 
kinds may be grown to great advantage — both those which 
spring from the ground, as melons and the like, and all! 
kinds of vegetables, as well as the apple, the pear, the quince, 
the plum, cherry and other fruits, and especially the peach, 
which comes early and attains much size and perfection in 
quality, and is very rarely affected by the frost. It is 
believed that a proper cultivation of this delicious fruit could 
be made the source of much profit to our people; and the 



(91) 

facilities of transportation enable it to reach an early market 
in the great cities of the North and East. 

Timber ot ail kinds, abounds in extensive forests which 
still exist in their primeval condition, but especially the 
"Oak," in all its varieties. This central belt may indeed be 
properly designated as the " Oak" region of the State. For 
all the purposes of house-building and fencing, wooden-ware 
and other manufactures, there is every abundance — while on 
the upper Cape Fear as on the lower, and other localities in 
the East, there is much suited to the purposes of naval stores 
and architecture. 

Minerals, of great variety and value, are found in this 
section of North Carolina. In the counties ot Rockingham, 
Stokes and Chatham, bituminous coal-beds of considerable 
extent, exist, and only need the facilities which are now 
being provided for a greatly enlarged development. The 
coal-beds in Chatham, especially, are very extensive and. 
valuable, and of good quality; and near them, are iron mines 
ot great but undeveloped value, especially the " Black- 
band" iron, nearly resembling that ot Scotland. The " Deep 
River" mines in this county, have attracted much inquiry 
and consideration, but owing to various causes, chiefly the 
lack of easy access and transportation, have not been wrought 
to any great extent. This want is now being supplied by 
the completion of the Chatham Rail Road at an early day, 
which will open communication with other Roads at Raleigh, 
and thence to the Ocean by the harbors of Norfolk and Beau- 
fort and ports of Wilmington and New Berne. 

Deposits of iron are found in many counties in this middle 
and central district, and of most excellent quality, particu- 
larly in the counties of Lincoln, Gaston, Catawba, Stokes, 
Surry, Randolph and Chatham. In the first named counties 
they have been worked with success and profit, though in a 
rudeai: dun skilful manner, from the time of our Revolutionary 
war. Copper is found in many localities, but chiefly in the 
counties ot Guilford, Davidson, Randolph, Cabarrus, and 
Mecklenburg. Lead in different places, especially in David- 
son, whence, in our recent civil war, a very considerable 
quantity was obtained for the use of the "Confederate States." 
Silver and zinc have been discovered and extracted at 
the same mine, and in other places, but in small quantities. 
A great many minerals of use in the arts and manufactures, 
are to be found in different parts of this district of the State, 
especially barytes. But the chief and most, valuable of all 
the metals found in this section is gold. It may, indeed, be 
justly designated as the auriferous division of the State, as 
this precious metal, in more or less quantities, is obtained in 
nearly all its counties, throughout this whole geological; 



(92) 

'Conformation running from North-east to South-west through 
its entire breadth, and being a part, and the richest part, in 
this respect, of the same conformation which runs parallel 
with the whole Alleghany range from the North-east to the 
South-west of the United States. Gold was here first found 
early in this century, in the county of Cabarrus, where one 
piece of twenty-eight pounds, avoirdupois, and many nug- 
gets of less size have been discovered. 

From North Carolina, and chiefly from this portion of the 
State, there have been deposited at the mints lor coinage, 
from nine to ten millions of dollars worth, since the first dis- 
covery of gold in this State: and as the gold found here is in 
much demand because of its great fineness and malleability, 
it is supposed, with reason, that nearly an equal amount from 
the same source, has been consumed in the arts and manu- 
factures. It has been found, principally, in the following 
counties, in the order in which they are mentioned, viz: 
Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Union, Rowan, Stanly, Montgomery, 
Moore, Davidson, Guilford, Rutherford, Burke, Lincoln, 
Gaston, Catawba and Franklin. With improved machinery 
and additional capital, now so much needed, there is every 
reason to believe that this great interest, in particular, and 
mining in general, will rapidly and greatly revive and 
become a source of immense wealth. 

Inter-communication. Besides the ordinary highways and 

public roads, there are Rail Roads already in operation, and 

•others in process of construction, and others also projected, 

which traverse almost every part of this central division 

of the State. 

The North Carolina Rail Road, from Goldsboro to Char- 
lotte, 223 miles, passing by Raleigh, the capital of the State, 
runs through this entire section. 

The Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road from Raleigh to Weldon, 
connecting these with three other lines, is 98 miles long, 
and is the thoroughfare from this State to the great port 
of Norfolk on the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Western Rail Road from Fayetteville on the Cape 
Fear to Chatham county, and to be continued still farther 
West. The Rail Road from Wilmington to Weldon, 170 
■ miles. 

The Wilmington, Charlotte & Rutherford Rail Road, a 
large portion of which is completed along the tier of coun- 
ties on the South Carolina border, to the base of the moun- 
tains, and to be extended beyond them towards the West. 

The Western Rail Road North Carolina from Salisbury, 
on the North Carolina Rail Road towards, and across the 
mountains, now finished to Morganton, in Burke county, in 
their vicinity. 



(93) 

The Rail Road from Charlotte in a Northwesterly direc- 
tion, now in process of construction, to the Tennessee line. 

And the Chatham Rail Road, a most important connec- 
tion from Raleigh to the Coal and Iron beds in Chatham 
county, nearly completed for that distance, and to be con- 
tinued in a Southwestern direction to and through South 
Carolina to Columbia, the capital of that State, where it 
will connect with other great lines to the South and South- 
west, <fcc. Other important roads are projected, and will 
certainly be completed, affording to this section of the State 
every facility which may be needed for travel and transpor- 
tation. 

The chief export markets for this region are Wilmington, 
New Bern and Beaufort, in N C, Petersburg, in Va., Charles- 
ton, in South Carolina, and, above all, Norfolk, in Va., the 
best port of the South, and destined soon to become its chief 
mart and point of export for its great staples. It is 
one of the best, safest, and largest harbors in the Union r 
with easy entrance to the Ocean, never ice bound, land- 
locked, and with a commanding and central position, in 
the middle of the Atlantic Coast, and having connection 
with all the great lines of communication in the country. 
It is near the border of North Carolina, and receives a very 
large portion of our trade and productions. 

Cities and Towns. There are no large cities in North 
Carolina. The chief interior ones are Raleigh, Charlotte, 
Salisbury, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, &c, &c, and 
on the coast those already mentioned. Our population is- 
nearly altogether rural and agricultural. The section under 
consideration is the most prosperous and wealthy in the 
State. But compared with the density of population in 
European countries, and even our own at the North and 
West, it is sparsely inhabited, though capable of sustaining, 
in comfort and prosperity, a population as great per square 
mile as that of Germany or France. 

We are now greatly in need of men and money — but 
especially the former, to till our unoccupied lands and engage 
in the useful arts. Our labor is greatly demoralized and 
our whole property depreciated and nearly lost to us by the 
results of the recent civil war. Our chief want now is a large 
immigration of men of industry and skill and enterprize, 
to build up our waste places and help us to restore our lost 
prosperity. A rich field invites the immigrant who may 
come from any part of the world, in good faith, to live and 
remain among us, and make our destiny in the future his 
own. A social, moral, religious and cultivated people will 
bid him a hearty welcome. A large portion of the inhabi- 
tants now here, are the descendants of those who came to- 



(94) 

our shores. from the North of Ireland, and all the countries 
of the upper Rhine in Germany and Switzerland. Now is 
the time to come and buy or rent lands and establish homes 
among us. 

With extensive and personal knowledge of countries, both 
in Europe and America, I venture to say that, at the present 
time, there are few better regions for good men to come to, 
from the redundant populations of any part of the world, 
than our own Southern land, and especially the good old 
State of North Carolina. 

Asking your indulgence for any omissions or faults in this 
imperfect compliance with your request, and wishing your 
Company every success in their very useful enterprize, 
I am, gentlemen, very truly and 

respectfully, your obedient servant, 

D. M. BARRINGER. 



The annexed letter from His Excellency, Gov. Holden, 
present Governor of the State and long the editor of the 
Standard, a leading journal of the State, will be read with 
interest: 

Executive Office, 
Raleigh, April 13th, 1869. 
To the North Carolina Land Company : 

Gentlemen: — Allow me to express my approval of the 
object of your Company, and the hope that it may do much 
good in attracting immigrants and building up the State. 

No State on the American continent can present greater 
inducements to immigrants than North Carolina. The State 
contains nearly every variety of soil, with a climate of a 
most salubrious and agreeable nature. Much of the country 
is still of the untouched original growth, while the most valu- 
able minerals of nearly all kinds abound in every locality, 
from the beginning of the hill country to the Tennessee line. 

The State is now thoroughly reconstructed politically and 
civilly, and is pushing forward its works of improvement with 
commendable energy. Large expenditures are being made on 
this account, thus affording employment to labor and develop- 
ing our resources. It is expected that the great through line 
of rail road communication with the Mississippi valley will 
be completed at an early day, thus connecting the State not 
only with the trade and travel of that valley, but with the 
rich regions further west, through which the Pacific Rail Road 



[95] 

is located. One of the main branches of this latter work, 
which is destined to shed the most beneficient results on the 
whole country, will in all probability, extend through a large 
portion of North Carolina, from Ducktown, thus pouring the 
wealth of the West into our own seaports and the port of 
Norfolk, Virginia. 

In addition to these improvements it should be known that 
the State is making provision for free public schools in every 
neighborhood, internal improvements and common schools, 
which formed the leading policy of the State previously to 
the late rebellion, will be cherished still more in the future by 
our whole population. 

The laws are every where enforced. Society is tranquil. 
Every one is free. Consience is unrestrained. There is noth- 
ing of an arbitrary character in any of our laws. The coun- 
try we inhabit is for the most part new. when we consider 
modern means and appliances for improvement, which have 
been originated by science and art and sanctioned by practical 
experience. 

Wishing you, gentlemen, very great success in the laudable 
and useful work in which you are engaged, I have the honor 
to be, 

With great respect, 

Your obedient servant 

W. W. HOLDEN, 

Governor. 



To Prof. Kerr, the State Geologist, we are much indebted 
for the fo Rowing letter, embodying a large amount of scien- 
tific information in regard to the minerals of North Carolina 
and its adaptation to Agriculture: 

Geological Office, 
Baleigh, N. C, April 15th, 18b'i). 

To the North Carolina Land Company ; 

According to your request, I have prepared the following 
abstract of the Geological Reports of North Carolina, show- 
ing the mineral and other resources of the State and their 
distribution. It is, with some additions, the same paper 
which was published two years ago as an addendttm to my 
first Geological Report. 

Geographically, North Carolina is situated half way be- 



[98] 

tween New York and the Gulf of Mexico, being included 
between the parallels of 34 degrees and 36 1-2 degrees. It 
extends from the Atlantic coast five hundred miles west- 
ward stretching more than one hundred miles beyond the 
Blue Ridge mountains, and contains an area of 50,704 square 
miles, having therefore about the same extent as the State 
of New York. This territory divides itself naturally into 
three well marked sections: On the West, the mountainous 
plateau, having an elvation of 2,500 feet above the sea, and 
being traversed bj several chains of mountains, many of 
whose peaks attain an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. On 
the East lies a low plain, nearly level, partly alluvial and 
partly sandy, extending about 150 miles from the coast; and 
between these two spreads the hill country, whose elevation 
rises gradually from 200 or 300 feet, on the East, to 1200' 
feet at the base of the mountains. 

The eastern section is mostly covered with pines (Pinus 
australis and P. tceda), the middle and western with vast 
forests of oaks (of many species) interspersed with the 
poplar, hickory, walnut, maple, &c. Seven large rivers, 
with their numerous tributaries, travel se the State, furnish- 
ing unlimited water power as they flow down from the 
mountains through the middle section ; and as they move 
with a moderate current, across the champaign country, on 
the east, into a chain of sounds which skirt the coa^t, they 
furnish, with these, an aggregate of 900 miles of inland 
navigation, which might be doubled by carrying westward 
the system of slack water improvements already com- 
menced. With these navigable waters is interlaced the 
railroad sysem of the State, amounting to more than 1000 
miles completed, and as much more in progress, which, with 
about 350 miles of plankroads and turnpikes, bring the 
sea coast into ready communication with every part of the 
State. 

THE SOIL. 

is very various; alluvial and peaty accumulations abound 
near the coast and along the rivers, while in the middle and 
western regions the soil is mainly of granitic origin, and 
represents every grade of sandy or clayey loam of various 
fertility. 

THE CLIMATE. 

has also a wide range, being tempered on the seaboard to 
something like the mildness of that, of the Gulf States, 
while in the mountain region it approaches the rigor of 



(97) 

New York. In the middle section, which constitutes the 
larger part of the State, and represents the average climate, 
the mean annual temperature is 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) — 
the mean Summer temperature 75 degrees, mean Winter 43 
degrees, extreme Summer (diurnal) 89 degrees, average max- 
imum 99 degrees, extreme Winter (diurnal) 20 degrees, 
average absolute minimum 12 degrees. The annual tall of 
rain is 45 inches. The number of cloudy days in the year 
is 130; rainy days, 60. 

The latitude of the middle of the mountain plateau is 
about 35^ degrees; and since the average elevation is 2,500 
feet, and 500 feet of difference of elevation are about equal, 
in climatic effect, in the temperate zone, to 1 degree of dif- 
ference of latitude, the climate will be found to correspond 
to that of northern Virginia and southern Pennsylvania. 

The most elevated portion of it, in Mitchell and Watauga, 
(above three thousand feet) has the summer temperature ot 
New York, seventy-two degrees; and the winter temperature 
of Washington City, thirty-five degrees; mean annual, fifty- 
six degrees. The annual rainfall is likewise that of New 
York, forty-two inches. Snow falls here about as often as 
in New York, but not more than half as deep. On the lower 
plateaus, as the French Broad, the elevation of which is a 
little below two thousand feet, the winter climate is pro- 
portionably milder. 

THE VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. 

are numerous. The most important are wheat, corn, oats, 
rye, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pease, rice, cotton, tobacco, 
turpentine, grapes and fruits. Wheat and corn are produced 
with facility and abundance in all parts; rye, oats and pota- 
toes flourish in the middle and western regions; rice, sweet 
potatoes and pease in the eastern; tobacco in the middle; 
cotton in the southern counties of the middle, and in the 
eastern section; turpentine and pine lumber are peculiar to 
the East. The fruits most extensively and largely culti- 
vated are the apple, peach, pear and cherry, represented by 
numerous varieties. No part of the continent is better 
adapted to these than the middle and western regions. The 
principal grasses are the orchard, herd's, timothy and blue, 
to wnich must be added clover and lucerne. All these 
flourish in the middle and western regions, and some of 
them grow wild; hence, stock raising is easy and profitable. 
The stock chiefly raised are horses, mules, cows, sheep and 
hogs. The grapes usually cultivated, besides foreign varie- 
ties, are the Scuppernong, Catawba, Lincoln and Isabella, 
all natives of the State, the first three being excellent wine 
7 



(98) 

grapes. The Scuppernong is peculiar to the eastern section. 
The following abstract from the United States Census re- 
port, for 1860, will best show the productions and capabili- 
ties of the State : 



Live Stock, 


3,326,000, 


annual 


product. 




Wheat, 


- 4,700,000 


bushels. 


annual 


product 


Corn, 


- 30,000,000 


u 


a 


c 


Oats, 


- 2,800,000 


<< 


a 


<( 


Eye, 


537,000 


(C 


a 


(< 


Peas, 


- 1,900,000 


(( 


it 


<« 


Potatoes, 


830,000 


u 


u 


<( 


Sweet Potatoes, - 


- 6,140,000 


a 


u 


<< 


Cotton, 


- 58,000,000 


pounds, 


(( 


it 


Tobacco, 


- 32,900,000 


a 


a 


a 


Eice, 


7,600,000 


« 


cc 


c( 


Wool, 


' - 883,000 


(C 


a 


it 


Honey, 


2,055,000 


ti 


it 


a 


Turpentine, 


- 1,000,000 


barrels, 


a 


a 



PRODUCTS OF THE MOUNTAIN REGION. 



Timber. — The forests of the mountain plateau are very 
heavy, and contain an incalculable amount of valuable tim- 
ber. There are hundreds of square miles of white oak for- 
ests, which must become immensely valuable for export at 
no very distant day. The black locust covers large tracts 
of territory in many of these counties. This is the most 
durable timber in our forests, and is so much esteemed for 
ship building that it is cultivated in the northern States on 
a large scale, one acre on Long Island, for example, being 
valued at two to four hundred dollars. Chestnut timber is 
everywhere. Poplar (tulip tree) is abundant. These two 
are the largest growth of the mountain forests, sometimes 
measuring ten to twelve feet in diameter. Not far behind 
these in size is the black oak (water oak of the mountaineer.) 
White pine abounds in all the higher plateans, e g. y on 
upper Linville, Elk and New River, (South Fork,) and often 
reaches a height of one hundred and fifty feet and a diam- 
eter four to five feet. Hemlock is also very abundant along 
the streams in the higher regions, and attains a great size. 
Among valuable cabinet timbers, mountain birch, (mahog- 
any of the mountaineer,) birds-eye maple, black walnut and 
cherry are found in great quantities, and of large size. 
Large fields have been fenced with black walnut in this 
region. I measured a cherry tree in Elk bottom, which is 
more than nine feet in girth, and seventy-five feet to the 
first limb. Such a tree would be worth more than one hun- 
dred dollars in New York. There are also extensive forests 



(99) 

of sugar maple, from which many thousands of pounds of 
sugar are manufactured every year, supplying the entire 
home market in many sections. The linn tree, {tilia,) which 
is abundant in the rich coves, is highly prized by the inhabi- 
tants, as furnishing a valuable winter forage for cattle. 

Besides timber there are other spontaneous products that 
are worthy of mention ; among which are 

Cranberries. — There are hundreds of acres of native cran- 
berry beds on the streams in the higher valleys, from which 
large quantities of fruit are annually gathered for export. 
To which may be added 

Medicinal herbs. — Of these ginseng is the most important. 
Several hundred thousand pounds of this article are annually 
■exported, and it is a source of large revenue to the inhabi- 
tants. North Carolina and Minnesota are the principal 
sources of this export, the whole of which goes to China. 
Wild ginger {as arum) is also an article of considerable trade, 
as well as several kinds of snake root, pink root, puccoon, 
hellebore, lady's slipper, spikenard, Indian turnip, Indian 
hemp, and a hundred others. The aggregate amount of 
money realized annually from the trade in these articles in 
the mountain section ol this State is probably over a quarter 
of a million. 

The principal farm products are corn, wheat, rye, buck- 
wheat, oats, grasses, (chiefly timothy, herd, blue, orchard and 
clover,) fruits, (especially apples, occasionally peaches, pears 
and grapes,) potatoes, and root crops. 

Corn grows everywhere. On the higher ridges and 
plateaus (three thousand feet and upwards) the northern 
varieties are required on account of the shortness of the 
seasons. 

Wheat does well in Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, and in 
small portions of the other counties. 

Bye, buckwJieat, oats and the grasses flourish everywhere, 
but especially in the more elevated regions of Mitchell, 
Watauga, Ashe, Yancey, &c. I am assured by intelligent 
farmers in this region that four tons per acre of hay is no 
uncommon yield. These grasses escape from cultivation and 
propagate themselves everywhere. I have seen a field near 
five thousand feet high that was seeded, some twenty years 
ago, with timothy, and has not been under fence in fifteen 
years, which has still a good " set" of grass. Oats grown at 
this place weighed forty- two pounds per bushel. 



(100) 

In the higher parts ot the mountains, (above four thous- 
and five hundred feet,) there are three species of perennial 
winter grass, which send up their new shoots, or stools, in 
November, and remain green all the year; so that cattle and 
sheep require little care even in winter, except in case of a 
deep fall of snow, which does not happen more than once in 
eight or ten years. 

The new Japan clover, as it is called, (Lespedeza striata,) 
has spread over the whole of this region. I have found it 
in a few cases on the tops of mountains four to five thous- 
and feet high. Such facts as these, taken in connection with 
the exceeding cheapness of land, and the proximity to the 
great markets of the country, will surely justify the opin- 
ion that the continent does not afford more favorable con- 
ditions for profitable cattle farming, wool-growing and 
cheese making. 

The President of the Cheese Makers' Association of New 
York (Gov. Seymour) stated the other day in an address, that 
the reason of their ability to compete successfully with the 
English cheese makers is to be found in the comparative 
cheapness of land in New York. The price of one acre of Gov- 
ernor Seymour's grass land will buy two or three hundred 
acres in this region. 

Cheesemaking has recently been introduced here by a few 
intelligent and enterprising citizens of Buncombe and will 
no doubt soon establish itself as a leading industry of the 
mountain section. 

It is inexplicable that no one has undertaken wool-grow- 
ing on a large scale, as such an enterprise, judiciously con- 
ducted, could scarcely fail of success. 

Apples. — Fruit growing must also prove very profitable, 
now that transportation is to be furnished. No part of the 
continent produces the apple in greater perfection, or with 
less cost and trouble. There is scarcely a county that has 
not several accidental seedlings of fine quality ; and apples 
are frequently produced of twenty-two to twenty-three ounces 
weight; (and even much larger figures were reported to me, 
but as I had no means of verifying the statements, I do not 
venture to repeat them.) 

Potatoes here are remarkably prolific, the yield being some- 
times as high as six hundred bushels to the acre, and the 
quality unsurpassed. 

Boot Crops are abundant and of the best quality,- a fact 
worthy of note in connection with the subject of cattle rais- 
ing. 



(101) 

The climate and agricultural characteristics of the piedmont 
region are notably different. In these respects it much more 
nearly resembles the middle section of the State, (the hill 
country.) Corn and wheat are of course the staple products, 
and near the mountains, rye, &c. A large part of it is well 
adapted to the growth of tobacco, a plant not much cultivated 
here however. Fruits grow well everywhere, but particular 
localities have special adaptation to the growth of certain spe- 
cies. The apple flourishes especially along the foot of the 
Blue Ridge. On the Brushy Mountains also, in Wilkes 
County a fruit is produced of peculiar excellence, Both its 
orchards and vineyards are famous. Lincoln County origin- 
ated the grape of that name, (called also the "Hart," " Lenoir" 
and " Davis" grape,) and Buncombe claims the Catawba. 
Cherry Mountain in Rutherford is noted for its extensive 
cherry orchards and the unequalled flavor of the fruit. It also 
produces a rare quality of wheat. The Japan clover has taken 
possession of this whole piedmont section within a few years, 
occupying the road sides, fence corners and old fields, and 
seems likely to exterminate the pestiferous broom grass. This 
plant is an annual, of comparatively recent introduction, 
which seems destined to play an important role in the future 
agriculture of the State. Notwithstanding the differences of 
opinion among farmers in the regions which it has invaded, it 
is unquestionable that it has valuable qualities both for pas- 
turage and as an improver of the soil. 

Water 'power is abundant every where, as will be evident 
from the topography of the country already given in outline, 
taken in connection with the annual rainfall of forty-two to 
forty-four inches. The Catawba and Yadkin descend seven 
hundred feet in a course of sixty miles across the piedmont 
section from the base of the Blue Ridge; and the thousand 
tributaries (many of which are themselves respectable rivers) 
have a much more rapid descent. Beyond the Blue Ridge 
the case is still stronger. Here is a score of large rivers which 
precipitate their vast volumes of water from these elevated 
plateaus through more than a thousand feet of descent in a 
course of thirty to forty miles, developing an amount of force 
which is beyond all estimate. The power developed by the 
Falls of Niagara is estimated to be thirty times as great as the 
whole amount of utilized water and steam power of Great 
Britain. The water power of North Carolina is ample for a 
•continent. 



(102) 



THE MANUFACTURES, 



are chiefly of coiton, wool, spirits of turpentine, lumber,, 
iron, paper and leather. 

The amount invested in the manufacture of cotton is- 
$2,250,000; lumber, $1,000,000; turpentine, $2,000,000; iron,, 
$500,000; wool, $350,000. 



FISHERIES 



abound in the sounds and rivers of the eastern counties. 
The species of fish mostly taken are the herring, shad, blue 
fish, mullet and rock. The number of barrels annually 
packed for market is about 100,000 on the waters of Albe- 
marle Sound. Considerable quantities are packed at other 
points. 

MINERALS. • 

A statement of some general principles, and a few obser- 
vations on the leading geological features of the country, 
will make the subject more intelligible. The position, general 
arrangement and condition of the rocks of a region have 
always an intimate dependence on its mountain systems. 
The strike, or direction of out-crop of the strata may generally 
be predicted as soon as the direction of the dominant moun- 
tain range is ascertained. Thus the different beds of rocks on 
the eastern side of our continent fall into parallelism with 
the axis of upheaval of the Apalachian system. The general 
direction of the Blue Kidge, therefore, gives us approximately 
the geological meridian to which all the rocks of North 
Carolina must be referred. This direction is nearly north- 
east and south-west. Every one has noted that the edgea 
of the out-cropping strata, and in general the trap dykes and 
mineral veins, take this direction predominantly in our lat- 
itude. The beds of slate, limestone, gneiss, &o, follow each 
other in regular succession, all trending away to the north- 
east. So that in passing from the sea coast to the moun- 
tains, we cross successively in our track the upturned edges 
of the whole series. Thus we have the clue to the distri- 
bution and arrangement of the rocks in mass. 

In the study of the metaliferous minerals, it is important 
to bear in mind two leading facts: first that they are found, 
especially the precious metals, chiefly on the flanks of 
mountains and in tracks marked by disturbance andupheaval, 
in the vicinity of trap dykes and other eruptive rocks, and- 
at the intersections of these with slate; and second, thai 



(103) 

their occurrence is most frequent in the older forma- 
tions, the Primary and lower Secondary. 

The rocks of North Carolina belong to this lowest horizon, 
being wholly included, with the unimpoi'tant exception of 
the coalfields, in the Primary group. So that we are pre- 
pared for the statement that there is hardly to be found a 
territory of the same extent, with so great a variety of val- 
uable minerals. In the treatment of this subject, it will be 
sufficiently precise for our purpose to divide the useful min- 
erals into two classes, namely, the metaliferous ores, which 
occur mostly in veins, as gold, copper, &p., and early min- 
erals and rocks, which are found mostly in beds, as coal, 
limestone, &c. 

Under the first division, occur gold, silver, copper, lead, 
zinc, iron and tungsten, and here, for convenience, may be 
added the diamond; and under the second, may be men- 
tioned, as occurring in this State under such circumstances, 
as render them economically valuable, coal, marl, limestone, 
marble, architectural granite, sandstone, porphyry, fire-stone, 
buhrstone, grindstone grit, whetstone slate, roofing-slate, 
alum and copperas slates, soapstone, serpentine, agalmatolite, 
fire-clay, graphite, garnet, barytes, manganese, oil slates, 
and chromate of iron. 

COAL. 

The second division, being most important, will first claim 
attention ; and first among these coal. 

The value of this mineral is too well known to require 
statement even. The development of all arts and industries 
is connected with its abundance and cheapness. It is found 
in two districts in North Carolina, known as the Deep River 
and Dan River Coalfields. In both, the coal is bituminous, 
and occupies a narrow tract of country along the course of 
the rivers from which they respectively take their names. 

These beds, therefore, follow in their outcrop the general 
direction of the rocks of the country. The Dan River bed 
is distant from market, and has been little explored. There 
is an outcrop in Rockingham and Stokes counties, one seam 
being four feet thick. The Deep River bed is better known, 
and probably more extensive. It is described in detail, in 
the Geological Reports of Dr. Emmons, for 1852 and 1856, 
and also by Admiral Wilkes, in his reports to the Secretary 
of the Navy, in 1859. According to these authorities, this 
coal is of the best quality, well adapted to the manufacture 
of iron and gas, and is inexhaustible in quantity. They 
represent it as extending over an area of more than 
square miles, and containing more than 6,000,000 of tons to 



(104) 

each square mile. This bed, therefore, would yield 1,000,- 
000 tons annually, for several hundred years. 

OIL. 

These North Carolina coalfields are cotemporaneous with 
those of Virginia, and belong to an age more recent than 
the Apalachian coal formation, which ranges from Pennsyl- 
vania to Alabama. They belong to the later ages of the 
Secondary. 

The bituminous slates associated with the coal are strong- 
ly impregnated with organic products. Dr. Emmons says, 
" From thirty to forty gallons of crude Kerosene oil exist in 
every ton of these slates. They are from fifty to seventy 
feet thick, and it is proper to state, that it is a better oil 
than is furnished from coal." The coal lies in a trough-like 
depression, which extends from Granville county, in a south 
west direction, to South Carolina. This tract is occupied, 
in its whole length, by a heavy bed of sandstones, of the 
same age with the coal. They are identical in appearance, 
quality and age, with the brown-stone of Connecticut valley, 
which is so extensively used as a building stone in New 
York and elsewhere. These sandstones are also extensively 
quarried for grindstones, for which they are well adapted. 

FIRE-CLAY, &C. 

Beds of fire-clay, also, are interstratified with, the coal. 
This mineral is found in various parts of the St ( ate, conspic- 
uously in Gaston county. There are fiveor six parallel belts 
of sandstone and quartzite, belonging to the older rocks, 
which traverse the State in the prevailing direction, and in 
which are found various grades of building-stones, fire- 
stones and grindstones. According to Dr. Emmons, one of 
these passes eastward of Raleigh, another a few miles to the 
westward, and a third crosses the counties of Montgomery, 
Randolph and Orange. The well known fire stones of Gas- 
ton, Lincoln and Catawba, occur in the fourth belt, which 
crops out along the line of upheaval of King's mountain, 
Crowd er's mountain and Little mountain. This rock in 
places assumes the character of white granular quartz (sac- 
charoidal quartz of the mineralogist) and attains sufficient 
purity to be used in the manufacture of glass. Linville 
mountain, in McDowell county, at the eastern base of the 
Blue Ridge, is chiefly made up of the same rock. Here is 
found the flexible sandstone (Itacolumite of the mineralo- 
gist) in which the diamond occurs in other parts of the 
world. 



(105) 



LIMESTONE. 



In addition to the four beds of this rock in the western 
counties, there are two beds east of the Blue Ridge; one is 
in McDowell county, along the North Fork, the other crosses 
the State from King's mountain, along through Gaston, 
Lincoln and Catawba to Stokes. There is also a small bed 
■of marly limestone eight or ten miles in length in the north- 
western part of Wake county. 

PORCELAIN CLAY, AC. 

Agalmatolite constitutes another member of the sandstone 
group in at least two of the zones, being found in this 
connection in Montgomery and Chatham, as well as on the 
Nantehaleh river, and across Cherokee county. This rock is 
miscalled soapstone, which it resembles in some of its prop- 
erties and uses. 

It is developed here on a large scale, and in no part of the 
world is found in greater purity or extent. Its uses in the 
arts are manifold, being substituted for graphite in lubrica- 
tion, and for soapstone in furnaces, prepared as a cosmetic 
and a pigment, and manufactured into soap, into ornaments, 
and the finer kinds of porcelain ware. It has been exported 
for this latter purpose in large quantities to New York, and 
to Germany. 

GRAPHITE. 

Here, also, belong ' the famous graphite, or plumbago beds 
of Wake county, being found immediately under the sand 
stone, or quartzite. It occurs, likewise, in the same connec- 
tion, in the Catawba belt (in Gaston, Lincoln and Catawba) 
and scattered through several counties westward. The uses 
of this mineral are well known and important, the principal of 
which are for the so-called lead pencils, for crucibles, for 
paints, for lubrication and for electrotyping, <fcc. The Wake 
county mines have been worked to a considerable extent, and 
will, no doubt, be re-opened. Dr. Emmons and Prof. Olmsted 
pronounce these the most important beds of this mineral 
known. 

The quartzite in Montgomery, takes the form of a buhrstone, 
which is supposed to be valuable for the manufacture of mill 
stones. This mineral is also found near Webster, in Jackson 
county, and on Nantehaleh river, in Macon. 



(106) 



SOAPSTONE, WHETSTONES, GRINDSTONES, &C. 

Soapstone and serpentine of good quality are found in va- 
rious parts of the State, for example, in Wake, Moore, Orange, 
Randolph, Mecklenburg and Caldwell, and west of the Blue 
Ridge, there is a remarkable belt of serpentine and chlorite 
slates, traversing the State from Clay to Mitchell, which carries 
a great variety of minerals, interesting to the mineralogist, 
and one at least that might become valuable economically, 
viz: The slate formation, which occupies a tract of the State, 
not less than forty miles in width, west of the coal rocks of 
Deep river, extends in a north-east direction, from Anson and 
Union counties on the southern border to the Virginia line. 
These slates constitute a notable feature in the geology of the 
State, and, in addition to the interest which attaches to the 
numerous mines along its north-western border, they contain 
extensive beds of roofing-slates and turkey hones, (novaculite.) 
Scythe-stones are also found on the Nantehaleh, of good 
quality and in great abundance. 

The Linville Slates furnish abundant materials for grind- 
stones and whetstones, in the Linville mountains, and for 
whetstones of very good quality in Adam's Nnob on John's 
River. On Laurel River in Madison is a peculiar cherty 
splintered whitish quartz rock which Mr. George Gehagan 
has manufactured into millstones, which are described as 
nearly equal in performance to the French buhrstone. One 
of the best millstone grits in the country is found on 
McLennon's creek, in Moore county. 

ALUM AND COPPERAS. 

Alum and copperas slates abound in many parts of the 
State, and have been extensively brought into requisition 
during the stress of the late war. The counties of Cleveland 
and Rutherford alone contain not less than 100 square miles 
of these rocks, and could easily supply the continent with 
copperas. This material is derived, by the process of weath- 
ering, from the iron pyrites which is disseminated, in great 
abundance, and in a state of extreme comminution, through 
the slates, many of which, being feldsphatic, yield also alum. 

MINERAL SPRINGS. 

The same cause, viz: the abundance and wide diffusion 
of iron pyrites give rise to so many sulphur, chalybeate and 
alum springs in this Piedmont country. They abound 
throughout the region, but the most noted are the Wil- 



( 107 ) 

son's Springs, (White and Ked Sulphur, and Chalybeate) 
near Shelby in Cleaveland county, McBrier's and Patterson's 
in the same county, and the Catawba White Sulphur and 
Chalybeate in the northern part of the county of the same 
name, and Piedmont Springs in Burke near Table Rock. 
All these are watering places of some celebrity. Wilson's 
and the Catawba have been recently improved and furnished 
in good style. They have the advantage of being located 
in a very salubrious climate, in view of the mountains, and 
easily accessible from the Rail Roads. Beyond the Blue 
Ridge also mineral springs abound. The most notable are 
the celebrated Warm Springs near Ashville, and the Mil- 
lion Springs at the foot of Craggy Mountain. 

MICA. 

Large crystals of mica are found in many parts of Yancey 
and Mitchell; the largest I have seen, however, were ob- 
tained in Cleveland near Shelby. When clear and free from 
flaws, plates four inches by six are worth about one dollar 
and a half per pound. 

BARYTES AND MANGANESE. 

Barytes is found in Orange, in the mines of Cabarrus and 
Mecklenburg, also in Gaston and Madison counties; and 
manganese in Cabarrus and Gaston as well as in Lincoln, 
Catawba and Chatham. 

MARL. 

This valuable material is liberally scattered over most of 
the seacoast section of the State, and is found in every degree 
of purity and consolidation, from a mere aggregation of 
loose shells to the most compact limestone, suitable for build- 
ing or for burning into lime. The famous Bath stone of London 
is matched by some of these beds. The marl is generally 
found near the surface and easily accessible. The importance 
of these accumulations of mineral manure to the agriculture 
of the State is not fully appreciated. Our farmers are only 
beginning to understand tlie essential part which lime plays 
in the economy of vegetable growth, and its important rela- 
tions to exhausted soils. 

We pass to the other division of minerals, the metaliferous 
ores. 

To the unpracticed eye, nothing presents a picture of more 
hopeless disorder and chaos than the rocks, particularly in a 
region of great disturbance, as in a moutainous country. 



(108) 

Here seems truly "A land of darkness, without any order, 
and where the light is as darkness." And yet, at the touch 
of science, order rises out of this confusion, and light spreads 
over this darkness. In a region of the wildest riot of disorder, 
dislocation, disturbance and inversion, under the patient and 
inevitable inductions of geology, the upheaved, overturned, 
and distorted strata fall into rank and regularity along certain 
axes and group themselves orderly about certain centres. As 
the sandstones, limestone, &c, of the previous division were 
found to acknowledge certain relationships inter se, and 
toward a controlling geological meridian, so it will appear 
that the metaliferous ores are not scattered at random and as 
if by chance, (even within the limitations already stated, of a 
disturbed area and a low geological horizon) but have a subor- 
dinate grouping and a palpable arrangement. 

IRON. 

And first of iron, king of metals ; so, because it constitutes 
the very frame-work, as it were, of our material civilization, 
without which the whole fabric would vanish like the fabled 
ship on approaching the magnetic mountain. North Carolina 
is peculiarly fortunate in the possession of an abundance of 
iron ore, and so widely distributed and in so immediate juxta- 
position with the other materials and means for smelting it, 
that each section, exeept the seaboard counties, can produce 
its own supply. These ores occupy chiefly five or six narrow 
tracts, or districts, which have an obvious relation to the min- 
eral belts already pointed out. 

This relation is most obvious and most immediate in the 
trans-Catawba tract, the ore being found in heavy veins along 
the out-crop of the sandstone from King's mountain through 
Gaston, Lincoln and Catawba, to Stokes and Surry. A second 
belt extends through Montgomery, Randolph and G-uilford. 
A third has its largest development in Chatham in the neigh- 
borhood of the coal, at Buckhorn, Lockville, Ore Hill, Egypt, 
&c, but makes its appearance also in Johnson. These ores 
are specular, magnetic and hematite. 

In the coal-beds themselves, exists an importantdeposit of iron 
ore interstratified with the coal. West of the Blue Ridge is one 
of the most valuable accumulations of iron ore to be found in 
the country. It has been long famous for the fine quality of 
the metal which it yields. The ore lies at the base of the 
Yellow mountain in Mitchell county, and is found at several 
points in a southwest direction in Madison and Haywood. 
These beds are magnetic, and are well adapted to the manu- 
facture of steel. 

Another bed accompanies the limestone of McDowell and 



(109) 

Transylvania ; and one of the most important and extensive 
deposits in the country, crosses the entire bi eadth of Cher- 
okee. It belongs commonly to the variety of specular or 
hematite ore. The completion of the Western Rail Road will 
bring these immense deposits into speedy requisition, and 
will probably render Cherokee the leading iron county of 
the State. 

The manufacture of iron had attained to considerable im- 
portance in the State previously to the late war, during which, 
of course, this industry received a great impetus. And when 
our system of Internal Improvements shall have been com- 
pleted, this will doubtless become one of the most important 
manufactures in the State. 

GOLD. 

Gold mining commenced in North Carolina about fifty 
years ago. The first impulse was given to the business by the 
accidental discovery of some large nuggets in Cabarrus and 
Anson counties. Previously to the year 1820. not more than 
$50,000 had been obtained. In 1863, the aggregate yield was 
not less than $10,000,900; which would make an average 
annual yield of $250,000. Here, as elsewhere, the first mining 
was confined to "surface-diggings." And in 1824, Professor 
Olmsted, of the University, then State Geologist, expressed 
doubts about the existence of gold veins in that region. 

In California, Australia, along the Andes and the Ural, — 
every where, in ancient and modern times, these superficial 
deposits have been the chief source of the precious metal, and 
have been generally more remunerative than vein-mines. 
And it is in this datritus of sand, gravel and clay, that nearly 
all the large masses, or nuggets, of gold have been found. 

In North Carolina, however, vein-mining has obtained 
great prominence ; and the larger part of the whole product in 
this State has been derived from this source. Some single 
mines in the gold region have yielded from one to two millions. 
And if these mines have not been uniformly profitable, it is 
because they have been generally wrought with little science, 
or economy. Overman, in his icork on Metallurgy, has recorded 
his conviction that these mines, under proper management, would 
he more profitable than those of California. 

The vein-gold of this State is usually found in a gangue of 
quartz, or disseminated in a slaty veinstone; and is commonly 
associated with iron and copper pyrites. This association 
almost universally prevails below the water-level. These 
mines, therefore, are of the same character as those of Califor- 
nia and Colorado, and the new methods which have been 
devised during the last few years, to meet the difficulties of 



( no ) 

working this class of ores will doubtless be found applicable 
here. 

The gold district proper of North Carolina extends, inclu- 
sively, from Guilford, Randolph and Moore counties, West 
and South-west to the Blue Ridge, and comprises all the 
interjacent counties, some twenty in number. Outside of 
this region there are but two gold fields of any note, viz : 
in Cherokee and Nash. 

The Reed mine in Cabarrus county has yielded more 
than a dozen nuggets, of various weights, from twenty-eight 
pounds (the largest ever found before the discovery of Uali- 
fornia) to two or three pounds, making an aggregate of over 
120 pounds. These nuggets are found in the detrital accu- 
mulations of denuded veins. The 'most extensive surface 
diggings, or placer mines, are found in the South moun- 
tains, occupying nearly 200 square miles in Burke and the 
neighboring counties. More than a million of dollars have 
been obtained from this deposit, and it is by no means ex- 
hausted. 

There are also placer diggings of considerable extent in 
the counties of Caldwell, Polk and Nash. 

SILVER. 

It will be observed that the richest gold mines lie along 
•and near the line of contact of the slates and granite. And 
•it is also along this line that the principal silver mines of 
this State are found. The most noted of these is at Silver 
Hill, in Davidson county. The combination of metals here is 
quite complex, — including, with the silver, gold, lead, copper 
and zinc. A chain of silver mines runs south-west along the 
western border of the slates, including the Conrad, the 
McMakin and the Stewart mines. During the war, the first 
named of these mines yielded a considerable quantity of lead. 
It had been previously worked chiefly for silver and gold. 
The same association of metals occurs in Cherokee. 

Two or three silver mines have also been discovered 
recently in Watauga county, near the Tennesse line. 

LEAD AND ZINC' 

Lead has not been found in quantities to justify operation 
elsewhere in the State, although its existence has been ascer- 
tained in several localities in the mountain region, as in Mc- 
Dowell and Cherokee. Both the silver and lead of North 
Carolina are found mostly in combination with sulphur in 
galena. 



(Ill) 

Zinc is not known to occur in the State, except in the above 
named association and localities. 

The new process ot manufacturing zinc paint has rendered 
all these zinc-lead mines immensely valuable. 

COPPER. 

Copper has long been known as an accompaniment of gold 
in most of the mines of that metal especially in those which 
occur within the belt of granite bordering the slates on the 
west. Many of these, which were originally operated as gold 
mines, were abandoned on account of the increase of copper 
pyrites with the depth ; and it is only within a few years that 
several of them have been re-opened as copper mines. 

The mines of this metal in the gold district above indi- 
cated, are found East of the Catawba river, and the most 
important of these are in the Southern portion of Chatham, 
in Guilford, Davidson, Rowan, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg, 
many of which have been recently re-opened. There are 
also several other mines outside of this district, the prin- 
cipal of which is the Gillis mine in Person. 

Beyond the Blue Kidge are two well defined copper dis- 
tricts, in which occur many large veins, which have only 
been opened at a few points. One of these lies on the head 
waters of the Tuckasegee in Jackson, extending occasionally 
across the mountain chains into the neighboring counties of 
Macon and Haywood. The most noted mines in this region 
are the Cullowhee, Wary hut and Savannah. The other 
copper belt is in Ashe and Alleghany counties. The impor- 
tant mines here are the Elk Knob, Ore Knob, Peach Bottom 
and Gap Creek. In both these trans-montane districts, the 
veins are developed on a very large scale. They differ from 
all other copper mines in the State (and so far as I know in 
the country) in being found in hornblende state. 

CHROMIC IRON. 

As has been stated, this mineral accompanies the serpen- 
tine in the most of its outcrops in the transmontane plateau, 
e. g., in Yancey, Mitchell and Watauga, as well as in Jackson. 
It exists in the form of nodules and veins. This mineral 
yields a very larg% number of valuable paints. 

TUNGSTEN. 

Tungsten, a metal which was long merely a chemical 
curiosity, but has recently assumed a high value, particularly 



[112] 

on account of its relation to the manufacture of steel, occurs 
in Cabarrus. 

DIAMONDS. 

I Several valuable diamonds have been found in the trans- 
Catawba country, in Lincoln and Rutherford counties. / 

From this very rapid survey of the minerals of North Car- 
olina, several facts worthy of note are evident: first, that, 
though widely distributed, they are not scattered at random, 
but follow a certain order of grouping and association; so 
that the probability of the occurrence of a given mineral in 
any particular locality can be approximately ascertained be- 
fore examination. 

Again, it is evident that this State is abundantly supplied 
with the more important and valuable minerals, those which 
are essential to the permanent and successful development of 
our agriculture and manufactures. Among these must be 
always first named iron, coal and lime. Of the first two it 
has been seen that there is the greatest profusion. Of lime, 
however, it may be supposed that there is a deficiency. It is 
true that we have no such immense territory of limestone as 
is found in some of the other States; and yet, upon consider- 
ation, it will be apparent that nature has provided an abun- 
dant store for all possible needs. The tertiary region in the 
east finds an ample supply for the purposes of agriculture and 
architecture in its widely diffused beds of marl. And 
although the farmer of the middle and western sections may 
not always find an imperative need of this fertilizer, his soils 
being frequently derived by disintegration from rocks which 
contain a considerable per centage of lime, yet, since the 
breadth of the State is traversed at comparatively short inter- 
vals by a number of outcrops of limestone, which are crossed 
almost at right angles by our rivers and many of our rail 
roads, it is thus brought within convenient reach of almost 
every neighborhood. Nature has denied us only two of the 
more important mineral deposits, salt and gypsum, (and they 
may yet be discovered in the sandstone of the coal.) But of 
these two there is an unlimited store just across our borders, 
within easy reach by a short line of railroad, of our net-work 
of proposed and completed rail roads and of our rivers. 
Taking, then, in one view, our resources of iron, coal, and 
lime, of gold and copper, and the great variety of other min- 
erals of subordinate but real and increasing value, it is suffi- 
ciently apparent that our State has here the foundation of 
indefinite wealth and prosperity; and that there is wanting to 
these ends only a vigorous prosecution of our system of inter- 



(113) 

rial improvements on the part of our Legislature, and intelli- 
gence, industry and enterprise on that of our citizens. 

THE POPULATION 

in 1860 was 992,(322, of which one third are colored, and 
3,298 are of foreign birth. One-tenth of the population live 
in towns and cities. 

LAND. 

According to the census of 1860, there were 6,500,000 acres 
of improved land, being about one fifth of the area of the 
State. The price at which these lands are held ranges from 
about 3 dollars to 100 dollars per acre; the average would be 
about 7 1-2. 

The only qualification necessary to enable a foreigner to 
own land, is taking the oath of allegiance to the State, or 
becoming a citizen of the United States. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

were maintained in the State, by the means of the income 
derived from the Literary Fund, which amounted to two mil- 
lion five hundred thousand dollars in 1860. About half of 
this fund has been swept away by the war; and the system of 
District schools which had brought a rudimentary education 
within the reach of all, free of cost, has been entirely pros- 
trated for the present, but will be revived immediately under 
laws recently enacted for the purpose. 

The State may be reached directly from Europe through 
either of her ports — Wilmington or Beaufort, (or Norfolk,) 
from which railroads penetrate every part of the State. 

From New York the distance by railroad or steamer is 
about 20 hours. 

The number of newspapers published in the State is about 
75; all in the English language. 

Yours, truly, 

W. C. KERR, 
State Geologist. 



(114) 

The following letter addressed to a New Yorker, is from 
the pen of our venerable and learned friend Rev. Dr. Mason r 
Sector of Christ's Church, Raleigh, X. C. It will be read 
with interest: 

Raleigh, N. C, April 20, 1869. 

My Dear Friexd:— From what you have heard of the 
climate of North Carolina, and especially of that middle belt 
in which Raleigh is situated, you think it possible you may 
forsake the cold regions of New York for the milder winters 
of this State. You wish me then to tell you, how I like my 
residence here, what I really think of the climate, especially 
of Raleigh; what is the character of the country generally; 
what its agriculture, and what prospect there is of your carry- 
ing out successfully your favorite amusement or pursuit, shall 
I call it, of gardening. 

My answer to the first, need not be long. You know I have 
been here many years, and you have never heard me, I am 
persuaded, express any intention or desire to remove. 

For the healthiness of the country, that must depend on the 
part of the State in which one resides. The eastern part of 
the State must be to a greater or less degree subject to inter- 
mittent and remittent fever. I do not think however, it can 
be in this respect much, if at all, worse than the eastern part 
of Virginia or Maryland: and must be far better than the 
eastern part of South Carolina, and consequently of Georgia, 
if there is any foundation for the old woman's impression. 
When the line was run between North and South Carolina, 
her house was determined to be in the Xorth instead of the 
South State. At this she expressed great satisfaction, as she 
had always heard that South Carolina was a desperate un- 
healthy place. You know I have lived in various climates. I 
have been in the West India Islands, at least in one, the most 
healthy perhaps of them. I have resided in three of the North- 
ern States, as far as Xew York, but I can certainly say, that 
I consider the climate of Raleigh much superior to any I have 
ever been in. The air is dry: there are no swamps or marshes 
around us: the soil is generally porous: the violence of north- 
eastern storms does not reach us, nor the unwholesome moisture 
of the South-east; both are tempered before they reach us. 

I have known many persons in a population of between five 
and six thousand, more than eighty ; a few. more than ninety 
years old; and as far as my experience goes, the young are 
less liable to die here than in any place I have ever lived. 
What my experience has taught me of Raleigh is time. I believe, 
of the whole belt of country extending from the Virginia to 
the South Carolina line in which Raleigh is situated. It is 



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intermediate between the east with its intermittent and remit- 
tent fevers, and the west with its more inflammatory disorders. 
Diseases of both sorts exist among us, but far less frequently 
than in their native regions, and generally very much modified 
in violence. We have no endemic diseases and epidemics 
very seldom occur; I never knew or heard of a genuine case 
of cholera. 

As I know your aversion to musquitoes, I may say for 
your satisfaction that although they are to be found in Raleigh 
in some parts of the town, but not in great numbers, in other 
parts of the town they scarcely show themselves at all; and 
in any part, they are, compared with eastern musquitoes such 
insignificant fellows, that were it not for the villainous drone 
of their hateful bag-pipes you might despise them altogether. 

Of the face of the country: North Carolina, you know, 
may be considered a long parallelogram divided into three 
distinct regions; the flat country of swamps and marshes and 
sluggish streams, supposed, I think, by geologists to have been 
upheaved from the sea, and extending about one hundred miles 
from the coast. A great part of this region is sandy, and 
easily worked, is very fertile, abounding, however, in the long- 
leaved pine, from which turpentine, &c, is obtained, and 
for which North Carolina is noted. These sandy lands, when 
improved by manuring and otherwise skillful cultivation, make 
very good cotton lands. 

Two sources of fertility have been resorted to, one mineral 
and the other vegetable. The eastern region of the State 
abounds in marl beds, and these are beginning, indeed have 
been for some time, used very successfully by certain persons 
in certain districts. The other, and vegetable source of im- 
provement is called the corn or field pea, producing an abun- 
dant stalk and foilage, and when sowed in early summer and 
plowed in when near maturity, supplies, in the Southern 
States, the place of clover in the Northern States, with a 
more rapid effect. 

The swamp and marsh lands, when cleared and drained, arc 
very fertile. I have heard of some of them producing from 
eighty to a hundred bushels of corn per acre, and of an hun- 
dred dollars an acre being refused for their purchase. 

The middle region is the region of wheat and corn, along 
its northern borders, of tobacco very excellent, and in some 
counties, cotton. Along the Southern border, besides the first 
named products of wheat and corn, the chief production is 
cotton. Some of the counties of this region are quite fertile, 
some not remarkably so. 

The third region, the mountainous and most westerly part 
of the State, is, I am told, a magnificent region. Of all the 
mountain country of the United States east of the Rocky 



(116; 

mountains, the mountains of N^rth Carolina are the loftiest, 
and yet they are clothed with verdure from top to bottom. In 
this part of the State, there is perhaps, as excellent a grazing 
country as can be found in the United States; may be in any 
part of the world. The soil, too is a wonderful producer of 
roots and tuberous plants. I have heard of one thousand 
bushels of the common potatoe — Irish as we call them to dis- 
tinguish them from sweet potatoes — being produced on an 
acre. This may be an exaggeration or myth, but all myths 
have some reality, all exaggerations have some foundation. 

Thus you will see that North Carolina being situated be- 
tween Virginia and South Carolina, partakes of the agricul- 
tural advantages of both. It must be considered as the 
extreme north of cotton cultivation, while South of it, very 
little attention is paid to the production of tobacco, while the 
western part of the State from the richness of its grasses, and 
the luxuriance of its vines rivals, and from the superior^ 
and 1 he greater mildness of its climate, more than rivals the" best 
pastures of the North. I may add here, that quarries of ex- 
ceedingly beautiful marble are said to be found in Cherokee 
county the most westerly county of North Carolina. 

But now for your horticulture. First, let me observe this 
town is called the city of oaks from the number of these trees, 
original tenants of the soil, which the first settlers of the town 
and the present residents that have succeeded them, had the 
good taste to preserve. To me there are few objects of greater 
grand beauty than one of these aborigines of the forest, with 
his "fifty arms so strong," clothed in their full fresh vendure 
of May or early June, relieved against the deep, deep blue, and 
serene sky of this climate. 

There is in addition the artificial beauty arising from culti- 
vation. Except in the mere business part of the place, there 
are few houses without their front lot for ornamental and their 
back lot for kitchen gardening. Very many houses have 
attached to them, conservatories filled with exotics. Even 
where these are not found, the front yards are kept by careful 
attention in rich grasses, sometimes green (as the Kentucky 
grass for instance) through the whole winter, with trees of 
various descriptions, deciduous and evergreen, with borders of 
shrubbery and ornamental flowers. 

But come, let us hasten, after this long delay, to what you 
will be more interested in, the practice of the kitchen garden. 
Let us enter my garden. You see, that being originally a 
sloping lot of ground, it was necessarily terraced. Let us sit 
at the corner of this bank, faced with the Kentucky grass. 
Look around ! You perceive there has been an attempt to 
unite the dulce with the utile, the ornamental with the neces- 
sary; the decoration of the parlor with the preparation of 



(117) 

the kitchen — the former, principally with the care of the fairer 
sex of my household, the latter I have taken under my own 
charge. This bed on the left is one of hyacinths, now out of 
bloom. On each side of the main walk we have passed through, 
are rows of choice roses of several varieties, and of almost 
every hue. Many of them, as you see, will soon be in bloom. 
Interspersed among the roses, are flowering shrubs; vines and 
roots of many kinds. Off to the right, are climbing roses, 
with a Chinese honey-suckle, and what is popularly called, 
" the yellow jessamine," but which is really, as a very learned 
friend of mine, an eminent botanist, Dr. Curtis, of Hillsboro, 
writes in his admirable practical work, " the Woody plants of 
North Carolina," a " Gelsemnona sempervireris" '. Read what 
he says of it: 

" Its graceful evergreen leaves, the profusion of its large, 
bright and deliciously fragrant blossoms, renders this vine the 
pride of our forest.''' 

Immediately behind us is a bed of potatoes, the common 
potatoes of course, not the sweet. A great part of them are 
up, but I am afraid a late frost has very much injured them. 
I planted them in December of last year, according to my 
usual and generally successful practice. Hereafter, I shall not 
plant till the peach tree is in bloom, generally the beginning 
of March. 

Beyond those two beds of Asparagus immediately before 
you, is a plot of Wakefield cabbages, sown the first week of 
last November. In the severity of the winter, they were cov- 
ered with glass. Have I Winningstadts ? Certainly. I con- 
sider them the finest early though not the earliest Spring cab- 
bage. My Winningstadts are on the last plot in the garden 
to the right. I sow in November, as being the earliest time 
to prevent many of ray plants running to seed. Yes, I have 
also a few early cauliflowers. If they succeed they will bloom 
in May. Between the rows of cabbage, you see is lettuce, 
the early cabbage lettuce, sowed in September, at the same 
time with spinach and black mustard, and onion seed. Do 
the young onion plants endure the winter ? Perfectly, as you 
will presently see. So does the spinach; so does the mustard, 
without any covering; and the lettuce. I cultivate two other 
kinds of lettuce, besides that you see so large, the Ice lettuce, 
called so, I suppose, from the semi-transparency of its ribs. A 
delicate lettuce of fine flavor, but of short continuance, as it 
endures neither heat nor cold well, and soon runs to seed. 
The other is the large India, taking all its qualities into con- 
sideration, the best lettuce I have ever met with. It does not 
endure cold remarkably, but it does heat. The cabbage let- 
tuce we have been eating for more than a month. You see it 



(118) 

is now well headed. We have had asparagus for some days, 
and are now on our second crop of radishes. 

Let us walk around some of the plots. I indulge a great 
deal, you see, in pears, some dwarf and some standards. The 
pear is a delicious fruit and is almost the only tree-fruit not 
infested by insects. The peach in the garden is destroyed by 
the curculio, and the apple both by the curculio and the cod- 
line moth. 

This mammoth bush as you term it, but which is no bush but 
a tree in the eastern and southeastern part of the State where 
the climate is somewhat milder, is the fig, and a most valuable 
fellow. He is never infested by insects, always bearing a deli- 
cious fruit. When the frost does not interfere, bearing a first 
and always a later second crop. In this altitude so far up the 
country, the plant is sometimes injured by the frost, but never 
entirely destroyed. 

The strawberries are of various sorts, mo?t of them are in 
full bloom, so are my early peas. I shall have them both, 
early in May. 

The grapes are Catawba and Isabella. The Isabellas scarcely 
ever ripen well. The Catawbas sometimes succeed remarkably 
well. As you perceive this year I mulch them with oak 
leaves; as I think it is what is principally needed to prevent 
rot. One year I suffered weeds to grow among my grapes, 
and merely cut them down without attempting to weed them 
up. I had that year a great quantity of grapes; last year I 
took particular pains to keep the ground clean and I had few 
or no grapes. But "part hoe" is not necessarily "proper hoe." I 
shall try however, the leaves. I will shew you soon a native, 
on which like the true native man of the State you can rely. 
In the meantime here are my tomatoe plants set out from 
a cold-frame; 1 never used a hot-bed, as in this climate it is 
I think unnecessary and dangerous, unless you have a gardner 
you can certainly trust. Here are my cucumbers, removed 
from the frame on inverted sods, as are also melons and 
squashes. You see my spinach is going to seed and so is my 
autumn sown mustard. And here is the grape vine, the Scup- 
pernong. Not of the highest character for either the press, 
or the table. I doubt its being ever made a good wine grape, 
not of exquisite flavor, as the Hamburg, not of high Patri- 
cian standing, but of good steady, regular, useful, sober, yeo- 
manly qualities. Its bloom is after all frosts are over, no 
insects infest it; it spreads and bears to any extent you please 
to carry it and regularly. But I must warn you, that it is a 
downright Southerner and steadily refuses to bear at all be- 
yond Mason's and Dixon's line. Nay, I am not sure that 
he will condescend to bear in Virginia. I believe he looks 
with a good deal of indifference upon the pretensions of the 



(119) 

~F. F's. In fact he is a genuine native North Carolinian and 
is truer to his native State than many a North Carolina man 
or woman. 

The poles before you are for Lima beans, recently planted 
T)ut not yet up. 

And now I have told you nearly, if not quite all, you wished 
to know. I will only add if you go south or east from Ral- 
eigh, the products of the garden are earlier; if north or west 
later than they are here. " Auream quisquis mediocritatem 
dlligit Tutus." Take the gold mean of Raleigh with its 
undoubted salubrity, and come and live among us. 

R. S. MASON. 



FACTS FOR EMIGRANTS and CAPITALISTS. 



THE SWAMP LANDS- OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



1,500,000 ACRES, 

In the Eastern portion of North Carolina lying on the 
Atlantic Ocean, from Virginia to South Carolina, there are 
millions of acres of Swamp lands in their native forest growth, 
of great fertility and value. Most of these lands can be bought 
from their present proprietors at nominal prices, not one-third 
their real value. 

The Board of Literature of North Carolina holds in trust 
for the benefit of Public Education all those swamp lands 
which belong to the State, supposed to contain one million five 
hundred thousand acres. These lands are for sale. Besides 
these, there are many millions of acres owned by private per- 
sons and corporations, which can be purchased. Eor specific 
information in reference to these lands, apply to the North 
Carolina Land Company, Raleigh, N. C. 

In 1867, the Board of Literature of North Carolina, pre- 
pared and published a description of the State Swamp lands 
from official sources. As this description holds good in most 
particulars in reference to all the swamp lands of Eastern 
North Carolina, we deem it proper to present to our readers 
the following statements from that document published by 
the Board of Literature: 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

The term Stvamp is applied in North Carolina to low, wet 
and spongy lands unfit for cultivation without thorough drain- 
age. The statute meaning of the term is a large body of such 
land ; and it is applied to districts in the alluvial region of 



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the State not affected by tide or salt water that can be 
drained. 

Some of the lakes are isolated, and others are found within 
the swamps and occupying their highest points; and all of 
these lands are susceptible of thorough drainage, the expense 
per acre being much less where large bodies are drained by 
one system of canals. This is one main reason why many of 
these lands have not hitherto been improved: for the swamps 
are too large for single proprietors, and the cost per acre of 
draining a single plantation, of moderate size, would gener- 
ally be more than three times that of draining an entire 
district. 

The lands are all level, and, being alluvial, are free of stones 
and pebbles, and, when improved, of very easy tillage. 

SPECIFIC QUALITIES. 

The swamp lands described above may be divided, with 
reference to soil, production and value, into three general 
classes. 

First. — The very fertile, of which the improved lands of 
Hyde county are the general type, and for a scientific descrip- 
tion of which, of the highest authority, the reader is referred 
to the following: 

SWAMP LANDS OF THE HYDE COUNTY TYPE : SCIENTIFIC AU- 
THORITY. 

The late E. Emmons, LL D., formerly of the Geological 
Survey of New York, and well and favorably known to the 
scientific world, was, at the time of his death, and for years 
before had been, State Geologist of North Carolina. 

He examined with much care the agricultural characteris- 
tics of the swamp region of North Carolina, subjecting the 
soils to a thorough analysis, and personally inspecting their 
cultivation and production. 

From an elaborate report made in 1858, the following 
extracts are taken : 

" Maize (Indian Corn) must be ranked among the most 
exhausting crops; and it is evident that poor soils will scarcely 
repay the farmer for its cultivation. * 

While it must be admitted that maize is an exhausting crop r 
it is equally clear and conclusive that it is one of the most 
important and valuable, and hence it may be regarded as one 
which pays the best. * * * * 

The foregoing remarks respecting the maize crop have been 



(122) 

•jmade in consequence of the peculiar adaptation of the soil of 
.Hyde County to this cereal. It is the granary of the South. 
It is true that the number of bushels per acre which constitute 
the average crop is less than the number frequently made on 
other kinds of soil. Thus, a hundred bushels of corn may be 
; grown upon an acre, but the Hyde County soils rarely exceed 
sixty bushels per acre; but from fifty to sixty bushels are 
grown, annually, per acre for an indefinite term of years, with- 
out the expense of fertilizers, while the heavy premium crops 
Tequire a great expenditure on them; and these have to be 
repeated, in order to keep the ground in a good condition ; 
■and hence, in the long term of years, the profits of these rich 
lands greatly exceed those which are only moderately so, 
naturally, and require, every few years, an instalment of 
manure." — Report of 1858, pages 28th, 29th. 

" The Hyde County soils have acquired a deservedly high 
reputation. 

Some tracts have been cultivated over a century, and the 
crops appear to be equally as good as they were at an early 
period of their culture; and yet no manure has been employed, 
and they have been under culture in Indian corn every year, 
or what would be equivalent thereto. * * * 

In accomplishing the object of my visit, I was ably seconded 
by Dr. Long, of Lake Landing, who has become the owner of 
a tract which has borne this crop, (Indian corn,) for one hun- 
dred years without manures. It does not seem to have deter- 
iorated by this long cultivation; or the crops do not show a 
peceptible falling off; still, there has been a large consumption 
of materials during the one hundred years of cultivation, which 
may be made to appear by analysis. 

The great supply of nutriment, however, still holds out, and 
the one hundred years to come, if subjected to no greater 
drains upon its magazine of food, will, at such a distant period, 
continue to produce its ten to twelve barrels of corn to the 
acre." — Ibid, pages 19 — 21. 

" In Onslow, the White Oak Desert is the most interesting 
tract of swamp land in the County, and is at the head of 
White Oak Creek. This tract may be drained into Trent 
River. The timber is very large, and consists of white oak, 
poplar and pine. 

The most important work which has been undertaken, is the 
-drainage of a part of this tract by Mr. Franck. He has been 
able to secure two objects, the drainage of the land, and a 
good water power, with a fall of about twelve feet. 

The thickness of the soil in Mr. Franck's poccosin (swamp) 



( 123 ) 

is five feet towards the outer rim, and still thicker towards 
the middle, attaining at least ten feet of rich soil. 

The excellent quality of parts of it, which are covered with 
heavy timber, proves by cultivation that it is equal to the 
Mattamuskeet lands of Hyde — their average yield being twelve 
barrels of corn to the acre." — Ibid, pages 37 — 38. 

This White Oak Desert, or Swamp, lies partly in Onslow 
.and partly in Jones County, consists of about ninety-four 
thousand acres, and belongs to the Literary Board. 

* * " The fertility of the lands drained by Mr. Franck, 
although on the edge of the swamp, and not so rich as in the 
interior, fully sustains the analysis of Professor Emmons, and 
the deductions therefrom, that they ' were equal in value to 
the best quality of the Hyde County soils.' They have yielded, 
as I am informed by Mr. Franck, every year, an average of 
from ten to twelve barrels of corn per acre, or twelve hundred 
pounds of seed cotton ; and last year an elderly negro man, 
who cultivated a portion on shares, with two young negro 
women and a boy, all of whom, including the man himself, were 
stricken down with the small pox, made six bales of cotton 
and two hundred and forty barrels of corn." — Gen. Givynn's 
Report to the Literary Board in 1867. 

"The swamp lands of Brunswick and New Hanover, and 
adjoining Counties, resemble, in many respects, those of Hyde 
and Onslow. The earthy matter is as line as that of Onslow 
or Hyde County lands, and its quality and condition prove 
the same capacity, as it appears to me, for a productive culti- 
vation for a series of years." — Dr. Emmons. 

Gen. Walter Gwynn, one of the most eminent and experi- 
enced civil engineers of the United States, and who, for many 
years, has been engaged in the various departments of his 
calling, in different States of the Union, has been several times 
in the employment of the Literary Board of North Carolina. 
He has surveyed a number of its Swamps, and in a report 
made to the Board, in 1867, says: 

" I am unable to state with precision what proportion of the 
State lands, amounting in all to about a million and a half of 
acres, belongs to the class that comes up to the standard of 
the Hyde County or Mattamuskeet lands. I feel confident, 
however, that it exceeds somewhat a fourth, and that a large 
proportion of the remainder, though falling below this stan- 
dard, is equal to the average quality of lands in the country, 
known and regarded as good lands. 

The rest would be valuable as manures for other lands, and 



( 124 } 

for peat, which has lately become an article of commerce from 
the neighboring swamps of Virginia." 

" It will be useful to compare the swamp lands (of North 
Carolina) with the prairies of Illinois, whose characteristics 
have drawn westward so many emigrants from New England, 
New York and the old world. The swamp soils of North 
Carolina show a greater capacity for endurance than the 
prairie soils of Illinois, notwithstanding the annual crop is 
somewhat less per acre; but on the score of location we are 
unable to see that the Illinois soils have a preference. 

As it regards health, Hyde County is no more subject to 
chills and fevers than the country of the prairies. It is a 
remarkable fact that persons live and labor in swamps with 
impunity, or freedom from disease." — Dr. Emmons. 

All things considered, these lands are among the most de- 
sirable in the world: they produce grass and fruits as well as 
cereals, are of easy cultivation, and are tilled from generation 
to generation, without showing any signs of exhaustion. 

They are generally covered with a heavy and dense growth 
of timber, vines, reecls and grass; the soil is from five to fif- 
teen feet deep, and consists of decomposed vegetable matter, 
fine sand, and finely comminuted clay. It produces exuber- 
antly all the grains, grass, cotton, rice, pease, potatoes, tur- 
nips, pumpkins, melons, the garden vegetables, apples, peaches 
and grapes; but the test of its fertility is its growth of Indian 
corn, an exhausting crop, which it will yield in large amounts,, 
from year to year, without manures or stimulants, and for an 
indefinite period. 

It will not produce as much per acre as the heavy clay soils 
in the highest state of improvement; but considering the dif- 
ference in the expense of. production, the crops of the former 
are vastly the more profitable. 

The average yield, of Indian corn per acre, without the 
application of fertilizers or stimulants, is from fifty to seventy- 
five bushels; and experience has proved that this will con- 
tinue, from year to year, for more than a century, while science 
infers, from the facts of the past and from careful analyses, 
that even two centuries of close cultivation will not exhaust 
the natural and ever renewing fertility of these soils. 

Second. — Intermediate soils, partaking somewhat of the 
nature of the first class, and something, also, of that of the 
third. 

Swamps of this character sometimes contain highly fertile 
fringes, or districts, alternated with sections of sandy lands 
not productive, or with peaty soils, devoid of timber; but 



( 125 ) 

generally the lauds included under tins head are of medium 
quality, producing' the same growth with those of the first, 
but in less abundance. 

They would be regarded as very valuable but for their 
proximity to the best soils of the world; and many of them 
are more peculiarly adapted to wheat and the liner grasses 
than the lands of the first class; and their average yield of 
Indian corn, which is about twenty-five to forty bushels per 
acre, can be cheaply and easily increased by the application 
of fertilizers which abound in this region. 

They are, like the lands of the first class, of very easy til- 
lage; and one good application of the marl, which is found in 
this section in exhaustless quanties, will add to their produc- 
tiveness for twenty years. 

For further particulars, and a more scientific description, 
read again the foregoing description of the First Class. 

Thiiid. — This class embraces what is usually known in 
North Carolin, as Open Ground Swamp, being destitute of 
woody growth, not inundated with water, but always saturated 
with moisture. 

The soil consists of organic or undecomposed vegetable 
matter, and not productive in its present state; but when 
turned up to the sun, acted on by caustic lime, and packed by 
cultivation, it becomes in many instances very fertile. 

But it is due to say that the process necessary to the pro- 
ductiveness of these lands are not likely to be applied at pre- 
sent in a region abounding in soils that need no improvement 
except a thorough drainage; and they are now valuable 
chiefly as vast repositories of peat, easily and cheaply 
obtained, and near to water carriage, and as exhaustless beds 
of manures for other soils deficient in the elements of which 
they consist. 

These prarie lands are described more fully as follows: 

" Some of the swamps are open, or marsh lands ; the surface 
is usually destitute of timber, and covered with a coating of 
moss, or a growth of reeds and briars. These open lands were 
once, without doubt, clothed with a large and heavy growth 
of trees, which have, in the course of time, been prostrated by 
fire. * * * * The moss has a highly refractive quality, 
and almost entirely excludes the soil below from the influence 
of the sun: evaporation goes on slowly, the ground is kept lull 
of water, vegetation checked, and what few seeds remain are 
so chilled as to destroy germination. * * * * The soil 
thrown up on the banks of drains, made into the open lands, 
produces a growth of bushes and weeds of the greatest vigor 
and luxuriance, and the only things requisite to render the 



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the open lands fertile are drainage and cultivation. The moss 
which now covers their surface, instead of being injurious, 
will, with lime dressing, make a coating of manure of immense 
value." — Beport of Hon. A. Nash, Engineer in 1827 to the 
Board of Internal Improvement of N. C. 

"Peat is one the most common materials which has been 
employed as a fertilizer, and has received the same sanction 
of those who have used it." — Dr. Emmons' Beport of I860, 
-page 59. 

The Board of Literature owns a swamp of this kind con 
taining 87,000 acres, lying on navigable water, and within a 
few miles of Beaufort, one of the best harbors on the Atlantic 
coast. The peat here is of the finest quality, and rich in the 
elements of fertility needed by more sandy lands. 

INCIDENTAL ADVANTAGES OF THE SWAMP 
LANDS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 

I. THEIR NATURAL GROWTH. 

Some of the swamps contain large bodies of timber, such as 
pine, juniper, cypress, oak, poplar, ash and gum; and in a 
region accessible to market, such products of the forest are of 
great value. The business of timber getting has ever been 
profitable in Eastern North Carolina; the best markets for 
lumber are comparatively near, and the trees are of the most 
valuable kind, and often as large and fine as any in the world. 

Grapes, valuable for wine and for table use, abound;, and it 
is only necessary to specify the Scuppernong, famous over the 
continent, and which grows wild in immense quantities, and 
on vines that grow to immense size, and attain to a great age. 

The reeds and grass of the swamps afford a rich natural 
pasturage for cattle during the whole year, and this species of 
stock can be raised as cheaply and abundantly as in any other 
section of the country. 

II. MARL BEDS. 

The alluvial region of North Carolina abounds in immense 
beds of shell marl, a species of fertilizer exactly suited to the 
soils of this section. 

The ,marl is found near the surface, and often begins with 
it, reaching generally to a considerable depth, and the beds 
contain hundreds and sometimes thousands of tons which can 
be easily and cheaply removed. 

One good dressing of this fertilizer will materially add to- 



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the productiveness of the land for twenty years; and thus- 
nature has deposited within this favored region the means of 
increasing and perpetuating the fertility of the soil. 

III. THE FISHERIES. 

Fish, oysters, turtle, and a valuable species of terrapin, 
abound in eastern North Carolina; and here are found the 
largest fisheries of shad, herring and rock, on the American 
continent. Mullets, and other desirable varieties of fish, are, 
also, caught in great quanties; and the numerous sounds, 
lakes, rivers and creeks teem with an inexhaustible supply of 
food for the sustenance of human life. 

It is, also, worthy of note that wild towl and game of other 
kinds exist in such quantities as to form an article of trade 
with other States; and as an illustration of the extent of the 
fisheries, and of their value, it may be mentioned that during 
the present year one hundred and seventy-five thousand her- 
rings have been taken at a single haul of the seine. 

IV. ADVANTAGES FOR RAISING BEEF AND PORK. 

It has already been stated that cattle can be raised as 
cheaply and as numerously here as in any part of the country; 
and it should be added that the facilities for producing pork 
are equally great. Indian corn, the staple food for fattening- 
hogs in the west, can be grown here on as extensive a scale 
and at little expense as in any part of the world: and in 
addition to this, eastern North Carolina produces another 
article nearly as valuable for stock as corn, and which cannot 
be raised to advantage in the cold States of the west. 

One of the most nutritious, healthy and delightful of all 
vegetables used for the food of man and beast is the sweet 
potatoe; and in the region under discussion it requires little 
care or culture, and on soils comparatively poor, from two to 
five hundred bushels per acre can be easily raised. 

V. FACILITIES FOR RAISING FRUITS AND GARDEN VEGETABLES 
FOR THE MARKETS OF NORTHERN CITES. 

The peach tree is not so healthy in the alluvial region as 
on the stiff clay soils in the hill country; but the fruit matures 
so much earlier than in the Northern States, that it can be 
raised to great profit for the city markets. 

There is an apple peculiar to the Hyde region which is of 
superior quality and one of the best keepers in the world: it 
is called the Matamuskeet, grows luxuriantly in the section, 



( 128 ) 

referred to, and of which it is a native, and may be kept all 
the year round without rotting. 

But along the numerous navigable waters of this region 
there is the best opening in the world for profitable garden- 
ing ; vegetables of all kinds can be produced in vast quanti- 
ties, and of the best quality, and placed in the markets of 
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, &c, &c, and weeks before 
they will mature on the vastly more expensive lands in the 
vicinity of those cities. 

VI. EASE WITH WHICH THE SOIL MAY BE CULTIVATED. 

It is no small item in the comparative advantages of this 
region, that the soil, when once prepared for cultivation is as 
mellow and friable as a bed of ashes. One man and a small 
horse or mule can till as much ground, as a hand and a half, 
or a man and boy, and two heavy draught animals, will do in 
the west; and less expense is necessary for agricultural im- 
plements of every kind than in stiff clay or rocky soils. 

VII. FACILITIES FOR GETTING TO MARKET. 

This favored region combines advantages seldom found 
together, perhaps not combined, on such a scale, in any other 
place. 

The forests furnish resources for foreign trade equal to 
that of the regions where timber is the chief article of export; 
the fisheries add another great staple to commerce, and beef 
and pork furnish others. 

Cotton may be grown as profitably as in the valley of the 
Mississippi, and com as abundantly as in the richest States of 
the west. 

To these may be added grapes and other fruits, wine, and 
garden vegetables ; and all these things are produced in com- 
parative proximity to the markets ivliere they command the best 
prices. 

Nearly all eastern North Carolina is convenient to navi- 
gable water, and the whole of it is near to the Atlantic ocean ; 
and the great staples of this region yield a much better price 
to the producer than in any other section where they are so 
largely produced. When, for instance, corn is worth to the 
producer in Illinois or Iowa but fifteen cents per bushel, it 
yields sixty to seventy-five to the farmer in eastern North 
Carolina; and so with other products. 

For the same reason the inhabitants of this region obtain 
their foreign supplies at much cheaper rates than they can be 
furnished to the people of the west; and to all this it must be 



(129) 

added that building materials and fuel are vastly less expen- 
sive, the working season longer, and all seasons milder. 

VIII. CLIMATE AND HEALTH OF THE COUNTRY. 

The latitude of all parts of North Carolina is that most 
favorable to out-of-door labor and exposure, and to the pro- 
longation of human life. 

The statistics of the Census of the United States prove 
that the average duration of human life is as long in North 
Carolina as in any part of the world; and the eastern part 
of the State is not an exception to this general salubrity. 

This assertion is based on facts and on the investigations of 
science; and it is freely made in view of the most ample 
opportunity on the part of the world of verifying its accuracy. 

The swamps of eastern North Carolina do not generate the 
malaria which, in the marshy regions further south, causes 
malignant fevers; and the experience of a large population 
devoted for over a century to open air pursuits, will confirm 
the statement that the laborers here, in the woods, in the fields 
and on the waters, are generally as healthy as in any part of 
the country. 

The subject needs no ingenious bolstering ; conclusive facts 
are within the reach of all and will speak for themselves. 

The winters are not so rigorous as in higher and drier 
localities in the same latitude, the climate being tempered by 
the influences of the Gulf stream, and the proximity of the 
ocean; and the same causes, also, reduce the heats of summer, 
and aid in promoting the health fulness of the climate. 

The region will be found to be suited to laborers from Ger- 
many and the British Isles; and natives of the South of 
Europe will find health, and congenial and profitable employ- 
ment, in this favored region. 

The following facts sustain this assertion: 

HEALTH OF LABORERS IN THE SWAMP REGION OF N. CAROLINA. 

" It may be inferred that, as the swamp lands are so low and 
wet, they must necessarily be extremely unhealthy, or become 
so when drained, and the vegetable matter begins to decom- 
pose. Experience, however, does not support this view. The 
testimony of those who have cultivated them tor forty years 
is, that their families have enjoyed as much health as their 
neighbors who have lived at a distance. Persons who are in 
the habit of plunging into the swamp lands knee deep for 
draining, and when drained, to live in the immediate vicinity 
of the black vegetable mould for years, are rarely sick with 
fevers. * * * Miasms, which generate fever, arise more 
9 



( 130 ) 

from the banks of rivers than from the swamp and poccosin 
soils." — Report of Dr. Emmons, in 1858, page 57. 

A fact mentioned by the late Gen. W. A. Blount is of great 
importance; it is, that for forty years during which he had 
been a resident upon this class of lands, the health of his family, 
white and black, will compare favorably with those in the 
healthiest localities in eastern North Carolina. 

The late Edmund Ruffin, of Va., eminent for his practical 
contributions to agricultural knowledge, says: 

" From the existing conditions of the land and water of this 
lake region, every stranger would infer the general and worst 
effects of malaria in producing disease and death. But I was 
assured that such was not the fact, and that the residents suf- 
fered but little from autumnal diseases. 

And this I could readily believe, even after making proper 
allowances for the too favorable view as to health, which every 
man takes of his own place of residence. The people I saw 
had the appearance of enjoying at least ordinary good health. 
Among the number that I saw there were three neighboring 
resident proprietors, each of seventy or more years of age, and 
then in good health. Few of the residents move to, or visit, 
the high lands in the autumn, and these few for short times, 
and more in pursuit of pleasure than of health." 

To these evidences may be added the authoritative testimony 
of Gen. Walter Gwynn. 

In an official report to the Literary Board, he says: 

" These facts corroborate the views advanced by Dr. Charles 
E. Johnson, in an admirable address on malaria, delivered 
before the Medical Society in 1851, and are conformable to my 
own experience. As chief Engineer of the State, I was en- 
gaged in draining swamp lands in Tyrrell County, from 1839 
to 1843, a period of three years. The main features of this 
drainage consisted in lowering lakes Pungo and Alligator, 
each five feet. This was effected by cutting canals twenty-five 
and thirty feet wide respectively, which drained a surface of 
about 70,000 acres that was covered with water. Lateral 
canals were then cut twelve and sixteen feet wide, a mile apart. 
The work was done by contract, the average number of hands 
employed being about two hundred and fifty, all negroes, with 
the exception of the overseers and contractors. The latter 
were constantly exposed to the weather, the negroes worked 
every day in water and muck, generally knee deep — they, as, 
also, the overseers, were housed in shanties on the banks of 
the canals — and there was not a single case of fever on the 
work, nor was the attendance of a physician required in any 
instance. 



(131) 

In building the railroads from Petersburg to Blakely, from 
Portsmouth to Weldon, from Weldon to Wilmington, from 
Wilmington to Manchester, and from Goldsborough to Raleigh, 
every variety of sandy soils, wet and dry, and every species of 
marsh, swamp and poccosin soils were encountered and up- 
turned, yet there were but few cases of fever, and they occur- 
red chiefly at Blakely, which was the first terminus of the 
Petersburg railroad, on the Roanoke river, three miles below 
Weldon, and on the Great Pee Dee River in South Carolina. 
The intermediate points were almost entirely exempt, and 
remarkably so in the valley of the Cape Fear river, opposite 
Wilmington, where the Manchester road crosses Eagle's Island, 
through cypress swamps and neglected rice fields. The meii 
employed were chiefly foreigners, disregarded the precautions 
given them to keep within doors at night, and often slept out 
on the ground; yet there was not a single case of ague and 
fever among them, nor did any one of them lose more than 
two or three days during the entire period they were engaged 
in the work, which was in the summer and autumn of 1853, 
and 1851." — Gen. Gwynn's Report to the Literary Board in 
1807. 

IX. STATE OF SOCIETY. 

The object in offering for sale the swamp lands of North 
Carolina is itself a favorable indication of the state of society. 

The proceeds of the sales are to be used in re-establishing 
the prosperous system of Public Schools, temporarily sus- 
pended by the results of the late civil war ; a system which, 
up to 1861, had been in existence for twenty years, and by 
which all the children of the citizens of the State were ob- 
taining an elementary education. 

For nine years before the war and during the war it was 
presided over by a State Superintendent ; and it had acquired 
such a vigorous existence that it lived with all its machinery 
perfect, through the four years of exhausting strife, and was 
suspended in 1865, on account of the loss of a large part of 
its vested funds. 

It still has considerable resources, independent of taxation, 
and which the arts of peace will make available; the people 
of the State are attached to the principle of universal educa- 
tion, and it is the general purpose to revive the Public Schools 
and extend their benefits to the children ol every race. 

The State has made greater progress in education of all 
kinds, in the last twenty years, than any of her sisters; and 
the reputation of her schools, and the wholesome state of 
society, brought pupils to her Academies and Seminaries from 
the whole southern and south-western country. 



(132) 

North Carolina, from her first settlement, has been cele- 
brated for the orderly and reliable character of her inhabi- 
tants; she is known, all over the country, as "the good old 
North," and her people are considered in all America to be 
pre-eminent for simplicity of manners, consistency of charac- 
ter, and devotion to principle. 

They are slow to move, and firm in purpose; and it is 
known that during the late trying contest of arms, the soldiers 
of this State were among the most steady, brave and moral to 
be found on either side. 

The State was never factious in politics, and the people 
never fond of novelties in morals or manners; but the popu- 
lation, as a whole, has been distinguished for obedience to 
law, fidelity to engagements, and devotion to peace and order. 

These are facts known to history, and familiar to all rea- 
ders of the current literature of the United States; and a 
society so honorably distinguished in the past still maintains 
its ancient character, notwithstanding the fiery ordeal through 
which the whole American nation has been passing for the 
last few years. 

Order reigns supreme, and life and property are as safe 
here as in any part of the continent; the people are quietly 
and earnestly devoting themselves to the arts of peace, and a 
worthy immigrant who comes here from any part of the globe, 
to join in these avocations, will receive a cordial welcome, 
and soon find himself at home, and among his friends. 

INTRINSIC VALUE OF THE SWAMP LANDS OP NORTH CAROLINA. 

" The public archives, running through a period exceeding 
half a century, exhibit, in regard to the swamp lands, repeated 
evidences of a high appreciation of their value; and their 
reclamation has at times engaged the attention of some of the 
most eminent citizens of the State, and of the country. 

Indeed, the utility and vast importance of the undertaking 
has undergone such thorough and searching investigations, 
that it would be difficult to present any views that would not 
be familiar to every intelligent and reflecting man for whom 
the subject possesses any interest. The late lamented Hon. 
Edmund Rufiin, of Virginia, in his sketches of Lower North 
Carolina, presented to the State, and published by order of 
the Legislature, remarks in reference to the region embracing 
the lands of the Literary Board: ' All my observations of this 
great and remarkable agricultural region have brought me to 
believe that I have not known or heard of any other compar- 
able to it in value.' And after making every allowance for 
the uncertainty of his grounds, he asserts it as his confident 
belief, that a system of drainage and improvement suggested, 



( 133) 

would add hundreds of millions of dollars even to the already 
great value and wealth of this region.' 7 — Got. Givynn'a li. 
to the Literary Board in 1SG7. 

DRAINAGE OF THE SWAMP LANDS OP NORTH I UIOLINA : EASE 
WITH WHICH IT CAN BE EFFECTED. 

"The swamps proper, as heretofore stated, have basin 
shaped beds, scooped out of the water-glutted sand stratum, 
which underlies nearly all the land of the tide water region. 
Those basins, being embedded in a material so surcharged as 
to be impermeable to water, served at first as the matrix or 
hot-beds for the formation of the vegetable soils of the swamps. 
They now serve as receptacles for the down falling rain water, 
by which they are surcharged and kept so exclusively wet as 
to be unlit for tillage. 

These facts indicate at once the principle of drainage. It 
cou.sists simply in cutting through the rims of these swamp 
basins, and extending ditches into the interior deep enough to 
draw off the water which is in excess some feet below and up 
to the surface, and by thus removing the before constant satu- 
ration, permit the excess of falling rain to sink into the lower 
earth, and thence pass off below, instead of being kept on or 
near the surface. 

The striking feature of this plan of drainage, worthy of 
note, is, that owing to the perviousness of the soil, no tap 
ditches are required, to drain off the excess of rain water over 
the surface, the whole of the surplus sinking through and being 
carried off from below. 

Much land is cultivated in corn and produces well, of which 
the level surface is not more than two and a half feet higher 
than the water flowing or standing in the ditches. 

Mr. Ruffin remarks that ' the ditches dug in this peculiar 
soil keep open for a long time, and need less labor for repairs 
and cleaning out than any seen elsewhere. The diguing is 
easy, the open texture of the soil and its great depth make it 
drain well and far, by lateral percolation, to wherever a lower 
neighboring outlet is afforded.'" — Beport of Gen. G 
1867. JRejoorts of Engineers Nash, Shaiv, Brazier and others 
confirm these virus. 

ADVANTAGES OF THE SWAMP LANDS FOR GRAZING, &C. 

"The natural pastures are perennial. The open swamps 
bear reeds in great quantity and which afford abundant 
excellent food for cattle through winter and summer. 

For cuttle grazing and sheep husbandry Texas only exceed^ 



(134) 

it in extent of range; but for raising hogs and fattening them 
almost without feeding, this portion of the State is greatly 
and justly valued." — Gen. Gwynn's Report of 1867. 

" In one respect this region differs from others further from 
the sea. There is no difficulty in the cultivation of the grasses. 
It is evident the climate is more humid, and the sea breezes 
moderate the heat sufficiently in summer to favor the develop- 
ment of this family of plants. 

There is no doubt, also, that if the attention of planters was 
turned to the cultivation of grasses, greater profits might be 
realized than from the cultivation of maize. It is less expen- 
sive, and as hay bears a high price in all the villages of this 
part of the State, and as there is always a communication with 
them by water, there can be no doubt that the profits which 
would arise from hay-making would considerably exceed those 
of corn. 

The green surface of the shores of the lakes, the yards of 
the houses, and the small pasturages, sustain this view." — Dr. 
Emmons. 

Mr. Edmund Ruffin says: " Oats, and especially hay, would 
be good crops for this humid climate and soil. * 
There is no better country for grasses east of the mountains. 
In small lots, I saw dry meadows of orchard grass and clover 
that would have been deemed good in the best grass districts." 
The writer adds, " the good (and improved) lands are densely 
populated by an industrious and thriving people, who entertain 
no doubt of their occupying the richest land in the world — in 
which opinion they are not far wrong." 

FACILITIES FOR GETTING TO MARKET. 

" In addition to the peculiar adaptation for agricultural 
improvement and profit in the land itself, no known region 
possesses such great facilities for navigation, and for choice of 
markets. 

The whole country is pervaded by broad and deep estuaries 
near the sounds; and their head-waters make, with their many 
branches, a net-work of natural and still water canals, as deep, 
as smooth and as sluggish as artificial canals, and free from 
the changes of levels and the obstruction of lock-gates which 
accompany the benefits of canal navigation. 

Such great and numerous natural facilities for navigation, 
as are found in many rivers of this region, are unequalled; 
and they are excelled by the aid of art only in the canal navi- 
gation of the Dutch Netherlands. Most of the rivers receive 
tieir head waters from the swamps: and from meteorological 
observation it is shown, that the great swamps receive from 
the atmosphere and clouds alone enough water to supply all 



( 135 ) 

they retain and all they discharge in rivers. The heavy rains 
do not speedily pass off as when falling on other lands, and 
are retained by the absorbent property of the swamp soils : no 
more than what they cannot imbibe passes off to the small 
streams, and that which is retained by the slow process of per- 
colation equalizes the supply of the rivers, and keeps their 
volume nearly uniform throughout both wet and dry sea- 
sons." — Gen. Gwynn's Report in 18(57. 

FISH AND FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 

" The abundance, variety and excellence of the fish in the 
waters of this region are unsurpassed by the same extent in 
any part of the Atlantic border. 

The herring and shad of Croatan and Albemarle Sounds 
and Chowan river, are proverbially superior in the Southern 
markets. * * * * The seines used in the different fish- 
eries vary in length from 2,200 to 2,700 yards, and are eighteen 
feet deep as fished. They are laid out about a mile and a 
quarter from the shore. Mr. Ruffin says the seine at Steven- 
son's Point once brought 220,000 herrings at one haul. Ter- 
rapin and turtle, also, abound in great plenty." — Gen. Gwynn's 
Report in 1867. 

It is wholly unnecessary to multiply proofs of a resource so 
universally known and acknowledged. 

GAME. 

Only one illustration will be given of the abundance of profi- 
table game in eastern North Carolina. It is from the pen of 
the late Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, venerable, when he 
wrote, for years, for scientific knowledge, and for his long and 
useful devotion to the cause of agricultural improvement. 

His statements may seem remarkable to any but those 
familiar with the region referred to ; but this proves only the 
want of general information in regard to the resources of one 
of the most interesting countries of the world. He says: 
" Nor is game less abundant. Its extent is scarcely known by 
any one out of this region. * * * 

There are ducks of various kinds, of which the canvassback 
is the most esteemed. There are also wild geese and swans. 
Altogether, they congregate in numbers exceeding all concep- 
tion of any person who has not been informed. They are 
often so numerous as entirely to cover acres of the surface of 
the water, so that observers from the beach would only see 
ducks and no water between them. These great collections 
are termed ' rafts.' The shooting season commences in autumn 
and continues through the winter. The returns in game, 



3 

(136) 

killed and secured, through any certain time, to a skillful, and 
patient, and enduring gunner, are as sure as the profits of any 
ordinary labor of agriculture and trade, and far larger profits 
for the capital and labor employed. The following particular 
facts I learned from the personal knowledge of a highly re- 
spectable gentleman and a proprietor on the sound, (Curri- 
tuck,) in Princess Ann. The shooting, (as a business,) on his 
shores is done only by gunners hired by himself, and for his 
own profit, and who are paid a fixed price for every fowl 
delivered to him, according to its kind, from the smallest or 
least prized species of ducks, to the rare and highly valued 
swan. He has employed thirty gunners through a winter. 
Tie provides and charges for all the ammunition they require, 
which they pay for out of their wages. In this manner, he is 
obliged to know accurately how much ammunition he gives 
out; and it may be presumed that the gunners do not waste it 
unnecessarily at their own expense. In this manner, and for 
his own gunners and his own premises only, in one winter, he 
used more than a ton of gunpowder, and shot in proportion, 
which was more than four tons, and forty-six thousand per- 
cussion caps. 

From this expenditure along the shore of one large farm 
only, there may be some faint conception of the immensity of 
the operations, and the results along the shores extending for 
full one hundred and fifty miles, and on all of which the same 
business is regularly pursued. 



Note bt the Editor. — When the foregoing publication was com- 
menced, the precise character of the matter corning from so many sources 
and at different times, was not known. Beginning with the idea of a small 
pamphlet, the valuable information elicited from various contributors, has 
swelled it to a volume. The proprietors have sought truth and truth only 
from the best sources. The discrepancies in matters of figure and of fact 
which appear in the work, may be charged to the different stand-points 
from which the various contributors viewed the facts before them, and 
the various sources whence they derived their information. One proof of 
the general truthfulness and correctness of the work, is shown in the sin- 
gular unanimity of the various writers, thus situated. 

Some inaccuracies may have escaped the notice of the Editor, in the 
hurry of its publication. In the statistical account given of Surry county, 
the reader will please supply " Dobson," in the place of " Jefferson," which 
was inadvertently put down as the county-seat of Surry. 

At considerable expense the proprietors have added a map of the State, 
which will be very acceptable to the reader. 

Arrangements will be made, if a second edition is called for, to render 
the work more accurate and thorough. 



'"^n^ 



